Bird flu scare: H5N8 virus no threat to humans, assures Gopal Rai

New Delhi [India]: The Delhi Government on Saturday maintained that there is no threat to human beings from the bird flu scare in the national capital, adding that the strain of the virus is less infective.

Speaking to ANI here, Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai said that a 23-member committee has been formed who will be dedicated toward controlling the virus from spreading in the national capital.

Rai asserted that the H5N8 virus was found in the samples of three of eight birds which had died recently at the Delhi zoo, and not the H5N1 virus, which is more infective and dangerous.

Assuring that there is no need to panic, he added that all measures are in place to deal with the situation.

However, he said that the H5N8 poses threat to birds as it affects them directly.

So far, 24 birds have died at different places, which include 11 ducks at Deer Park, since 14th of October.

Meanwhile, it has also been clarified that there is no threat if a person eats properly cooked chicken, as the virus cannot survive high temperature.