‘Avoid eating bird meat’

The Department of Forests and Wild Life has cautioned people against consumption of birds’ meat, following the outbreak of avian influenza(H5N1)at the Central Poultry Development Organisation in Hessarghatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

An advisory from the Ministry of Environment and Forests said the virus was transmitted between the affected poultry to wild birds and vice versa.

Eating the birds’ meat was illegal and carried the risk of contracting virus, conservator of forests said.

He appealed to report any unnatural death of wild birds.The affected birds exhibit symptoms of tremors, diarrohea, head tilt, staggering and paralysis.