Covid-hit poultry industry worried about bird flu in Maharashtra

The poultry industry in Maharashtra, which is attempting difficult to get better the losses it incurred throughout the final two several years thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, is fearful about the hen flu circumstances and unfold of misinformation. 

C Vasanthkumar, President Poultry Farmers and Breeders Affiliation (Maharashtra). reported that as for each media studies, bird flu situations have been detected in the Thane district, next the demise of close to 100 birds at a poultry farm in Shahapur. 

“However, Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association (MH) listed here would like to clarify that there is no will need for panic. This infection is only confined to a distinct region only,” he stated . “Our hen-eating type (in India) is various than other countries, in which we use to prepare dinner chicken at higher than 70 degrees Celcius. Consequently there is no prospect of survival of any pathogen in the rooster. Hence we recommend to people that they want not be concerned about infection. They can consume cooked rooster and eggs without having any hesitation,” he included. 

As per the Livestock Census 2019, Maharashtra, with total livestock of about 3.31 crore, ranks seventh at the all-India stage. The State ranks fifth at the all-India amount, with poultry birds populace of about 7.43 crore. 

The Point out government in its final Economic Study described that in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, the poultry industry confronted a demand from customers crisis from February-April 2020 due to widespread rumors and wrong information and facts by means of social media. The Point out created mass recognition via radio, television, and other media about the security of use of poultry goods and dietary added benefits therein. 

Key challenge for modest players

Poultry field players say that the bird flu outbreak in Thane would poise a big obstacle prior to small players in the sector. “

In the previous two yrs, lots of little poultry owners have endured intensely, and several have shut the small business. We are in the procedure of making a record of all individuals who have stopped the small business owing to the losses incurred all through Covid-19,” explained just one of the officials associated with the Poultry Farmers and Breeders Affiliation. He added that only big gamers are able to maintain the pandemic and value hike in poultry feed. 

Restricting distribute

State Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar reported that a huge amount of folks in the Point out are immediately and indirectly included in the poultry sector and worry must not be produced as it may possibly disturb the sector. 

Kedar has directed the administration to prohibit the spread of chicken flu by using instant actions at the poultry farm in Thane. The Animal Husbandry Department has directed district collectors to report any strange chicken deaths.

Poultry house owners and hatcheries have been questioned to report unconventional illness and mortality. Kedar insisted that H5N1 avian influenza conditions were being restricted to a unique poultry farm in Thane and there are no stories of the unfold in other elements of the State. 

Released on


February 19, 2022