Date:22/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/22/stories/2006022221560400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

No need to panic over bird flu, says expert

Special Correspondent

Says fears about disease uncalled for

Bangalore: The issue of bird flu has been blown out of proportion leading to undue panic among the people, G. Deve Gowda, President, Institution of Veterinarians in Poultry Industry, said here on Tuesday.

"As of now there is only one confirmed case reported from Navapur in northern Maharashtra. As a strategic move to contain the virus, all the birds in farms within a three-km radius from that place have been culled," Prof. Gowda said. Movement of products and people from those areas have been restricted to ensure the disease does not spread.

"Ill-informed people are thinking that bird flu has already killed more than 10 lakh birds and are frightened," he said.

The outbreak in pockets of Maharashtra is minimal. The fear of the public is uncalled for and simple precautions such as cooking at high temperatures make poultry meat and eggs safe, he added.