Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010259840600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Bird flu unlikely in State: official

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Director of Animal Husbandry L. Mohan has said here that there was no likelihood whatsoever of bird flu striking in the State.

Releasing the ‘Poultry Diary 2009’ of the National Egg and Chicken Promotion Council on Thursday, Dr. Mohan said the State was in the forefront of implementation of bio-security norms. It was using the most advanced technology that was of world class. These steps eliminated the danger of diseases as bird flu taking roots in the State.

He also said the staff of animal husbandry were regularly collecting blood samples of poultry birds and referring them to laboratories for examination. In addition, the poultry farmers were also on alert as they took steps to ensure that the birds were not affected. The State was exporting three crore eggs , including a large quantity hatched by broiler birds, to West Bengal, Maharashtra and north eastern States.