The Hindu Business Line : Experts allay fears over bird flu

EXPERTS today allayed fears about an outbreak of Avian flu in the State and warned that any false alarm, intended or otherwise, would only jeopardise the poultry industry.

The issue was discussed at a workshop on "Avian influenza and the Indian poultry industry" organised here by the Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation (KSPDC) in the context of bird flu scare in parts of Asia.

The Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, Prof J. Chandra, who inaugurated the workshop, cautioned against raising a scare, which would badly affect the State's poultry business. There is no reason for cynicism on this score since no incidence of the affliction has been reported from anywhere in the country.

At the same time, she sought to warn against complacency, and said adequate measures must be taken to prevent the possible entry of the disease carriers from other sources.

It is widely perceived that backyard poultry system has good potential in the State. The total broiler chicken production in the State is around 42,000 tonnes.

Except KSPDC, no other hatcheries are maintaining broiler in the State. Broiler production sustains direct employment opportunities to an estimated 50,000 people. The State also imports another 40,000 tonnes of chicken meat from neighbouring States.

Presenting a paper on "No need to fear Avian flu", Dr S. Sreenath, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, said that while no case of incidence had been reported in the country, chances of it occurring in the future were remote.

The virus causing bird flu gets killed at a temperature above 56 degree C and hence cooked eggs and chicken meat could be safely consumed.

Presenting a paper on "Avian flu and after: A growth opportunity", Dr S. Jalaluddin, Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, Kerala Agricultural University, said that, though India had internationally prescribed bio security measures already in place, the time had come to reinforce them.

He advised the poultry farmers in the State to strictly adopt a number of safety practices to prevent the possible entry of the disease.

Mr N.M. Sadanandan, Chairman, KSPDC, presided over the function. Among those who spoke on the occasion were Dr M. Suresh Kumar, Managing Director, KSPDC, Mr V.K. Vasudevan, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Kerala, Dr Ani S. Das, Managing Director, Meat Products of India and Dr R. Vijaya Kumar, Additional Director, Department of Animal Husbandry.

Poultry farmers, industrialists, representatives of various government departments and resident associations participated.

More Stories on : Poultry | Health | Kerala

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