No report of bird flu in J&K, eating poultry safe: Doctors Association Kashmir

The poultry farmers have been advised to improve biosecurity measures in the farms, Technical Officer of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries , Dr Arif Bashir said in an advisory.

He said there is no need to panic and stop eating poultry products as there is no report of bird flu in J&K.

Meanwhile, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), reacting to bird flu in other states, said it is safe to eat well-cooked poultry meat.

Jammu and Kashmir imports poultry products worth crores of rupees from different northern states, particularly Punjab.

Dr Bashir said artificial ponds, small water bodies inside and around farm premises could attract wild birds and pose risk to the poultry. He advised the poultry farm owners to keep farm premises and shed surroundings, vegetation free, clean and keep feed supplies and water for poultry safe from wild birds and rodents.

He directed poultry farm owners to use foot dips before entering the shades and feed godowns, keep the poultry litter dry and fly maggot free as wet litter and fly maggot larvae attract wild birds, restrict entry of visitors into the farm, discourage outdoor rearing of poultry as the open type rearing of poultry will enhance the risk for introduction of avian influenza into the farming systems, discourage multiple species of birds rearing in the farms, keep chicken separated from domestic ducks and geese and wild birds.

Any type of sickness in birds should be reported to the nearest veterinary center, especially edema in the comb and wattles, purple discoloration,  cyanosis of the wattles, combs, and legs, diarrhea, nasal discharge, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, decreased egg production, coughing and sneezing and lack of coordination.

He advised proper nutrition to the birds and inclusion of antioxidants, vitamin C,E and selenium in feed.

All poultry dealers and retailers should cooperate with veterinary and Para Vet staff for sampling, he added.

Poultry dealers and retailers must use masks and other protective gear and should take proper sanitation measures while dealing with poultry birds.

They were also directed to maintain record of source of poultry birds and track supplies to retailers to ensure traceability.

Dr Bashir said dead birds should not be thrown in the open and should be burnt or buried deep in the ground. 

Till now there has been no report to prove that bird flu can spread through properly prepared cooked poultry food, suggesting that the virus is sensitive to heat and dies in cooking temperatures.

Issuing instructions to the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr Bashir directed the department to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued for the control and containment of Avian Influenza issued by the Government of India as well as Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009.

The Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir should conduct rigorous inspection of all poultry imports at Lakhanpur and district surveillance committees should be constituted immediately to ensure checking of all poultry units and sale points.

“There is no risk of catching the disease from eating poultry or poultry products,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan, adding bird flu is not transmitted through cooked food.

“To date, there is no evidence that people have become infected after eating contaminated poultry meat that has been properly cooked,” he maintained, and said in areas free from the disease, poultry can be prepared and consumed as usual.