Confusion cleared! Coronavirus alert - Is chicken consumption safe? Check what Modi government has said

Amid confusion, rumours and fear over consumption of chicken in the wake of coronavirus, Modi government has given some clarity on the matter. Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry has clarified that chicken may be considered safe as no report has so far confirmed its involvement in coronavirus outbreak, as per a report in IANS. Coronavirus outbreak has claimed over 900 lives in China.

Animal Husbandry Commissioner Praveen Malik on Monday in a letter to Vijay Sardana, Advisor, Poultry Federation of India, said that poultry was not found to be involved in the transmission of 2019 nCov to humans in any report globally.

Responding an email sent by Sardana seeking clarification on the issue of livestock product consumption vis-a-vis 2019 novel corona virus (2019 nCoV), Malik said, "In this context, this is to clarify that the predominant route of transmission of 2019 nCoV, appears to be human to human, as per World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) though 2019 nCoV may not have had an animal source, which requires further investigation." "Poultry has not been found to be involved in the transmission of 2019 nCov to humans so far in any report globally," he added.

The letter also mentioned that similar viral outbreaks of coronavirus in past (SARS 2002-03, MERS 2012-13) or corona-associated common cold had no involvement of poultry and poultry products world over.

"Thus, with knowledge of present affairs of 2019 nCoV, consumption of poultry and poultry products may be considered safe. The general principles of hygiene, however, may be followed as per the suggestions of World Health Organisation (WHO) or OIE.

What is a coronavirus?

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, "Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in  both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)."

What is a “novel” coronavirus?

"A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The new, or “novel” coronavirus, now called 2019-nCoV, had not previously detected before the outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019," says WHO website.