Warning against fly-by-night investigators of bird flu

By Cyril Wimalasurendre

KANDY – Persons without authority should not be allowed to conduct investigations in the poultry farms or inspect the birds for H5N2 flue, warned Director General of Animal Production and Health Dr. Kumara de Silva at a media briefing in Peradeniya, yesterday (03).

He said that different groups conducting scant investigations might make different statements and diagnosis contravening the painstaking findings of his Department Scientists.

Scientists of his department were following up the case of the farm in Bingiriya Bowatte sector. The birds were destroyed not because of an attack of H5N2 but due to the necessity of precaution, Dr. de Silva said.

The Director General said that investigations were continuing and any fresh incidents of fowl deaths could be conveyed to the Animal Production and Health Department on telephone No. 081-2388463.

Public should not have any fear of consumption of chicken and eggs, Dr. de Silva said.

The media briefing was held at the Continuous Education Institute, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya.

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