Ranchi: Even as an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in Jharkhand capital city Ranchi, the State health minister Banna Gupta made a bizarre remark stating that he "eats more chicken when bird flu infection spreads."
The minister further said, "A few cases have been detected there is no serious concern as of yet. Our department (Health) is closely working with the Department of Animal Husbandry, and we will make sure that no one suffers by it," Gupta said while interacting with the reporters here on Saturday. "There is nothing to panic, I eat more chicken when bird flu infection spreads, all you need to do is heat it well while cooking," Samples from the said epicentre (Jail More, Ranchi Municipal Corporation) were sent to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) Bhopal which confirmed that samples are found positive for H5N1 avian influenza. Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has directed the Jharkhand government to take immediate measures including declaration of infected and surveillance areas, restricting access to infected premises, destruction of birds and disposal of dead birds and infected material.