CHITRAL: The district zoonosis control committee has expressed concern over the unchecked sale of stale chicken meat in the city, saying it may cause outbreak of zoonotic diseases in the area.

In this regard, a meeting of the committee was held here on Thursday with district health officer Dr Israrullah in the chair. A report concerning sale of dead chicken in the local market was also discussed on the occasion.

The participants asked the district administration and police to ensure strict checking of chicken meat business and punish the vendors found involved in sale of stale meat.

The meeting also expressed concern over presence of poultry shops side by side bakeries and fruit and vegetable shops in the local bazaar.

They demanded steps to shift all poultry shops to designated spots in the city to save contamination of food items.

A representative of the veterinary department was given the task of preparing the data of poultry shops in the city.

The meeting expressed its satisfaction over the report presented by district project manager of Relief International Dr Mohammad Tayyab regarding the progress of the ‘Livestock for Life’ phase of the project.

Dr Tayyab said that general awareness of zoonotic diseases was being created among people and the community was mobilised to take preventive measures against zoonotic diseases.

Ajaz Ahmed, general secretary of the committee, said that it would continue activities to protect people from zoonotic diseases.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2014