01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: There has been no incidence of bird flu in poultry flocks in Karachi but it was in fact Avian Influenza (AI) which infected layer flocks.

According to the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock, the AI disease was caused by H7 strain of virus which does not infect human beings.

The AI disease was noticed in Karachi during December but due to bio-security and preventive measures it is now controlled.

The ministry said there was no danger of infection of AI of chicken to human beings, "the poultry meat and eggs are, therefore, safe for human consumption and there is no danger to human life due to their consumption."

In the wake of AI in Karachi the government had constituted a 15-member coordination committee. The committee held its meeting on Saturday to review the situation, and discussed the reports of the members.-APP