HYDERABAD: All the 1,561 samples sent so far to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory have tested negative for bird flu, even as the consumption of egg and chicken was on the rise reportedly following steps taken by the Government to dispel fears among people.

With the poultry industry in the State suffering a daily loss of Rs. 5 crores on account of rumours and fears, the Government and the poultry industry joined hands to remove apprehensions by organising chicken melas .

Situation improves

A press release by the Chief Minister's Office here on Sunday claimed that the people, convinced by the Government's campaign, were consuming poultry products and yielding better price for farmers. The price of the broiler had increased from Rs. 10 to Rs. 24 and that of egg had gone up from 50 paise to 70 paise.

Andhra Pradesh is leader of poultry products in the country, accounting of for one-third of egg at 4.5 crore eggs a day and 20 crore broiler a year worth Rs. 2,800 crores. Some of the steps taken by the Government to dispel fears include release of advertisements in all newspapers, a cash award of Rs.10 lakhs for anyone proving that consumption of egg and chicken meat led to bird flu deaths, focus in "chaitanya" yatras that there was no bird flu and there was no connection between chikun gunya and chicken as also between it and bird flu.

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