Bhubaneswar: Allaying the apprehension of the denizens of Bhubaneswar over the recent outbreak of avian influenza, the Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department of Odisha on Monday clarified that it is safe to consume poultry meat and eggs now.
“In the context of avian influenza outbreak in the poultry research farm in the Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) premises, people in the locality are now in a state of apprehension to consume poultry meat and eggs. But this apprehension is baseless,” the department said in a release here.
All the poultry birds within one km radius of OUAT poultry farm had been culled and disposed of by deep burial method. Along with poultry birds, available poultry material like eggs and poultry feed had also been destroyed and buried. The area within one km radius of the OUAT poultry farm had been sanitised by application of disinfectants. OUAT poultry farm has been sealed and sanitisation certificate has been issued by the Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO), Khurda on February 4. Now there is no restriction in the consumption of poultry meat and eggs. People can consume poultry meat and eggs without any hesitation after proper cooking,” the release added.
Avian Influenza (H5Nl) virus will die when boiled for 30 minutes at a temperature of 700 degree Celsius. Besides, as there has been no report of unusual death of poultry within 1-10 km radius of OUAT poultry farm, the release added.
