Delhi had sent 104 samples to Jalandhar for avian flu testing, the results came in on Wednesday. (Archive)
New Delhi:
The Ghazipur poultry market and others that were closed in Delhi as a precautionary measure in view of an outbreak of avian influenza will be reopened, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
The January 9 order, which also imposed restrictions on the importation of chickens from other states, was reversed hours after the Delhi Livestock Unit confirmed that no bird flu had been detected in poultry samples shipped from the city.
“It means there is no spread of avian influenza in poultry in Delhi,” said Senior Livestock Unit Officer Rakesh Singh.
Samples taken from poultry markets have tested negative for bird flu.
They have ordered to open the poultry market and withdraw orders to restrict trade and the importation of chicken stocks.
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 14, 2021
The order of Delhi’s three civic bodies, which prohibits the sale, processing and packaging of poultry in their jurisdiction, will also be reversed today, said Union Livestock Minister Giriaj Singh.
He made the statement after meeting with Delhi’s Chief Deputy Minister Manish Sisodia and the city’s mayors.
On Wednesday, agencies governed by the BJP warned hotels and restaurants not to serve egg- or poultry-based dishes and threatened to suspend the license if they do not comply.
The confirmation that there is no outbreak of avian influenza in the poultry farms of Delhi is a great relief to hundreds of farmers who trade in the Ghazipur chicken market, the largest in Asia.
It also allays the fears of Delhi meat eaters, who had turned away from the protein to avoid possible transmission of the zoonotic disease. This despite central and state warnings that ensure that eggs and chicken can be safely consumed after they are fully cooked, as the virus is sensitive to heat.
Criticizing the decision to close the Ghazipur market “without testing”, Union Minister Giriraj Singh blamed the AAP government for spreading “panic over a 500 km area”.
“All orders to close the poultry markets and ban the sale will be reversed overnight. I request that no state make a panic decision. I hope the Delhi government’s decision to reopen Ghazipur Mandi will reassure people across the country. Singh said.
Delhi had sent 104 samples to a Jalandhar-based laboratory and the results came in late Wednesday.
“Of these, 100 samples were collected from 35 poultry in the Ghazipur market. All samples were negative for avian flu,” said Livestock Unit officer Rakesh Singh, adding that avian flu was suspected. in the four remaining samples of heron birds taken. of a park.
They have been sent to Bhopal for confirmation, he said.
Bird flu has been confirmed in 10 states including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, prompting the slaughter of birds and the center convened state officials to examine the availability of animal vaccines in the country.
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