Pune: With bird flu already making its mark in Maharashtra, reports of deaths of poultry birds have gone up too. This has elevated the concern over the consumption of eggs and chicken at this time. However, it has stated that it is safe to consume eggs and other poultry products if cooked at over 70 degrees Celsius. Sachindra Pratap Singh, Animal Husbandry Commissioner informed on Tuesday that to kill the heat-sensitive virus, boil meat at 70 degrees Celsius and ensure that it is cooked all the way through.
He also appealed that one must not spread any misconceptions and rumours about the bird flu. "Everyone in the state should stay alert to control the outbreak of bird flu at the same place and not to spread misconceptions and rumours based on scientific information about bird flu in the state," Singh said.
As many as 214 birds died amid bird flu in Maharashtra on Tuesday. Of these, 200 deaths witnessed in Yavatmal while Amravati saw 11 and four from Akola. Four crows have also died in Akola, taking the total deaths to 218. Till date, 1,839 birds are reportedly found dead from last five days in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra had witnessed positive cases from districts of Parbhani, Latur, Beed, Thane and Ratnagiri. The process to cull birds in Murumba village in Parbhani district and two villages in Latur district also started on Tuesday. As per the prohibitory order issued by the administration of Latur, vehicles are banned from entering the affected areas in the district. Transport of poultry products, birds, animals feed will also remain banned, as per the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
If crows, parrots or migratory birds are found dead in any of the villages in Maharashtra, one must immediately report to the nearest veterinary hospital. Also, the toll-free telephone number 18002330418 of the Animal Husbandry Commissionerate has launched for the complaints.
