Bird flu does not spread by eating eggs, bird meat: Ex-ICMR chief

The risk pertains to only bird farms or poultry farms where the concentration of the virus can be high as lot of avian carcasses are piled up in such areas, said Dr NK Ganguly, former director general of Indian Council of Medical Research.

Since the first week of January, deaths of birds due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza have been reported from the country. The bird flu outbreak has been reported from 10 states across the country, including Maharashtra and New Delhi. Mid-Day spoke to Dr. NK Ganguly, former director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to understand how different this bird flu is from its predecessors and whether the prevailing fear psychosis around consuming poultry is justified. Excerpts from the interview:

Firstly, India should track the migratory routes of these birds and get in touch with the countries from where such birds are coming. We have had past experiences of bird flu, it is likely that the same migratory routes are being followed. Secondly, it should survey wild birds, free-ranging birds, poultry farms and duck farms. Authorities should also do human surveillance on the antibodies. This H5N8 strain of virus doesn’t spread easily among humans.

Can humans contract the disease from birds or by eating eggs?

There is no risk of virus spread by eating eggs or bird meat. The risk pertains to only bird farms or poultry farms where the concentration of the virus can be high as a lot of avian carcasses are piled up in such areas. Last time when we experienced bird flu in Maharashtra, the birds around five kilometers of the poultry farms which showed instances were culled. People can buy chicken from poultry farms that are following proper safety measures. Surveillance needs to be done in areas where wild birds like crows are dying to determine if the virus is being spread to domestic birds. During the culling, it is important that poultry farmers are adequately compensated.

Also Read: Bird flu confirmed in Maharashtra, 800 chickens died in last two days

In this current spread of Avian Influenza what steps should the country take?

In India, mostly wild birds like crows, ducks, pigeons are being affected. Poultry is only affected in Maharashtra, Haryana, and certain other parts of the country. Why is that?

Last time also the virus was found in Maharashtra and lastly in West Bengal. The same pattern is being followed now. If the containment and surveillance are not done properly, the virus will gradually spread in other states. As the birds also cross state borders, an infected bird from one state can spread the virus in other states. Utmost surveillance is needed in the case of birds that are in close contact with humans.

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