The spread of bird flu has been fully under control in Pakistan,
officials said Wednesday.
Pakistan's caretaker Minister for Food and Agriculture Prince
Muhammad Isa, Minister for Health Ejaz Rahim made the remarks at a
joint press conference here.
Chicken meat can be eaten without any fear of being infected,
the officials said, adding that all preventive measures were taken
against this disease.
Prince Muhammad Isa said that this disease occurs in different
parts of the world periodically, especially during winter.
"We always remain alert to tackle the situation arising out of
the Avian influenza," the minister said.
He said that all the infected chickens were culled and buried in
southern city of Karachi according to laid down procedure.
"We are following international standard to deal with the
situation," he said. "Chicken meat can be used without any fear,
and it will have no adverse effect on human health."
He said that a check and balance system have been introduced
under which harmful food items are not allowed to enter the
market.
Healthy chickens were vaccinated and this process was completed,
according to Isa, who added that poultry farms were provided with
free of charge anti-bird flu vaccine.
Health Minister Ejaz Rahim said that his ministry in
coordination with the food ministry and other organizations has
taken tangible steps against contagious disease and the results
were successful.
The authorities of Sindh province last week confirmed the
outbreak of bird flu in a poultry farm in Karachi, capital city of
Sindh.?
(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2008)