KARACHI, Feb 13: Even though the N-subtypes of the H7 and H9 strains of the influenza virus that claimed the lives of more than three million poultry birds in and around Karachi are not known yet, the chicken meat is safe for human consumption.

This was stated by Dr Altaf Ahmed Lal, who works as a health attache for the US embassy, New Delhi, during a press briefing on Friday. Determining the N-subtypes was not a difficult proposition, remarked Dr Lal, who is also associated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.

"I am sure that this is being looked into here in Pakistan. The tests are not difficult as such and something like that will take one or two weeks in America to be resolved," said Dr Lal.

He explained that he was in Pakistan on a fact-finding mission about the bird flu virus that hit the other countries of the region, especially Vietnam and Thailand. "We are here to find out if we can be of assistance in any way.

"Support in the area of reagents' provision and other limited logistical problems are what we are interested in." Dr Lal, who specializes in infectious diseases among humans, pointed out that viruses with all N-subtypes were destroyed if proper heat is applied.

"The way chicken meat is cooked here in Pakistan, the food here is largely safe for consumption." Answering a question, he revealed that he had chicken meat for lunch.

Dr Lal underscored the need for further research to find out what had triggered avian influenza among Pakistani poultry birds. Was it through the migratory birds or any other mode of transmission, all this must be looked into.