New Delhi: The bird flu has already affected sales of chicken in Kolkata. Poultry trade has been severely hit and several restaurants recorded a sharp drop in the demand for chicken dishes. Even flights to and from Kolkata are not serving chicken dishes to be on the safe side.
Sales in the wholesale market have dropped by almost 80 per cent while the retail market recorded a 70 per cent dip.
With the wedding season on, the bird flu panic could not have come at a worse time for chicken traders. Dozens of marriage parties have taken chicken off the menu.
However, despite the decline in demand, the price of chicken hasn’t declined much. It came down by Rs 5 per kg in the wholesale market.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Municipal Corporation is gearing up to deal with a possible outbreak in the city. On Tuesday, health officers convened an emergency meeting with food inspectors and veterinary officers to assess the situation.
Teams of food inspectors and veterinary officers have already started visiting markets to raise awareness about the virus and also inspect poultry. Leaflets on the virus have been prepared too.
The state health department is geared up for a possible human infection. Isolation wards have been created and a rapid action team of health officials has been created to meet any exigency.
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