Gracy Tripathy & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jan 18: The Andaman Husbandry and Veterinary Service today confirmed that there is no report of any case of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and there is no need to panic.
Very recently, after death of a few pigeons, people of some area got panic and there was rumour of spread of Bird Flu in Andaman but now the Director of AH&VS, Dr. Ajay Verma, has confirmed that those cases of pigeon dying were not related to Bird Flu.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Dr. Verma today mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar Islands had banned import of Chicken and Poultry Product well in advance as a precautionary measure.
“We are also conducting surveillance and as per guidelines of ministry we are also sending required samples to Mainland in this regard. The dead pigeon those were brought recently, had died long back and there was no symptoms of Avian Influenza,” Dr. Verma said.
He added that as a precautionary measure the Administration has not only banned import of poultry products in Andaman but is also keeping an eye on Airport and Seaport to check entry of any species of birds.
When asked if consuming chicken is safe in Andaman, Dr. Ajay Verma said that as of now consuming chicken is absolutely safe.
