Amid the bird flu outbreak in several states, the centre has asked state officials to rethink their decision to ban sale of poultry and poultry products. The Centre also wants the states to allow the sale of poultry sourced from avian influenza-free areas. According to reports, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has said that "consumption of well-cooked chicken and eggs is safe for humans". The govt has further stated that consumers should not pay heed to baseless and unscientific rumours.
The confirmed cases of Avian Influenza have been reported in ten states so far, and culling of poultry birds is underway at all the affected epicentres in Maharashtra and Haryana, according to the ministry.