Bird Flu: CM Kejriwal orders reopening of Delhi's largest poultry market

A sparrow sits on an empty cage of chickens at the Ghazipur wholesale poultry market after it was closed for 10 days as a preventive measure against the spread of bird flu in New Delhi on January 10, 2021. - At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of bird flu -- H5N1 and H5N8 -- in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens. Credit: AFP Photo

Delhi government on Thursday issued orders to open the Ghazipur poultry market after all 100 samples collected from there tested negative for bird flu.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "samples taken from poultry markets have tested negative with respect to bird flu. I have directed to open the poultry market and withdraw the orders to restrict trade and import of chicken stocks."

A Delhi government official said there is no spread of bird flu among chickens in the national capital.

The state administration's action came a day after three municipal corporations of the capital banned the sale and storage of poultry or processed chicken meat.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said teachers will not be deployed on inspection duty in view of the bird flu situation.

"Received complaints from a few districts about teachers being deployed on inspection duty in view of bird flu. Following instructions from the chief minister, teachers have been relieved from this duty. DM's have been instructed to not put teachers on such duty without prior permission," Sisodia

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