Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Tuesday cautioned people against consuming chicken following confirmation of ‘Avian Influenza’ or bird flu in crow carcasses in parts of Kashmir including in Srinagar, Sopore and Anantnag.
Div Com Kashmir also appealed people to avoid passing through the places where samples of dead birds have tested positive for the bird-flu. He also asked people to avoid handling raw poultry.
“I appeal people to avoid consuming chicken for some time and also refrain from visiting or passing through the areas where samples of dead birds have tested positive for bird-flu,” Div Com told the media at his office here.
Pole said that government has already imposed a ban on import of poultry while animals go through thorough checking at Animal Husbandry office near Jawahar Tunnel.
He said that bird-flu also spreads by handling poultry products, dead or alive or through affected animals or if the infected bird ruffles its feathers.
Pole while confirming the outbreak of bird-flu in parts of Kashmir Valley including Sopore in north Kashmir, said control rooms have been set up in all districts while multi-disciplinary teams from different departments have been tasked for creating awareness among the masses.
“Samples of crow carcasses in Sopore and few other areas tested positive for bird-flu in a Chandigarh lab following which control rooms were set up in all districts while multi-disciplinary teams from Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Rural Development, Health and Medical Education were tasked for creating awareness among people,” added he.
