Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao allays fears about bird flu in state

Bengaluru: State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao allayed fears about bird flu, noting there was no need for "unnecessary panic".

Districts across the state, especially border districts, are exercising caution in light of bird flu scares. Last month, a bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Chikkaballapur, where at least 36 chickens died in Varadahalli village.

Responding to people's concerns regarding the spread of bird or avian flu (H5N1) in an X post, Rao wrote that cases of bird flu are being reported across the state but it is rare to spread from birds to humans even if it is a contagious disease.

"However, some precautions should be followed when consuming eggs and meat. Eggs and meat should be cooked at a temperature of 70 degrees for over half an hour before consumption," he wrote.

He also cautioned people against going near infected poultry farms, dead birds, or chickens.