Bird flu: Poultry industry suspects MNC nexus

NECC has said that it is not bird flu but Ranikhet disease, a common disease during this time of the year.

The Indian poultry industry has charged multi-national corporations of entering into a "nexus" to cash in on the panic situation created by the arrival of the deadly avian flu in India.

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Country's leading Venkateswara Hatchery and National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) has rubbished claims of avian flu but said that it could be Ranikhet disease that was affecting poultry chicken, a common phenomena during this time of the year.

"It is not bird flu. We have the best labs. Not one case of bird flu has been detected," NECC chairman Anuradha Desai said, reacting to the panic spread across the nation.

On orders given to cull thousands of poultry chicken in some areas of Maharashtra, Desai said, "I urge, don't destroy the poultry. Submit at least one sample and test it."

Desai suspected a nexus of MNC drug manufacturers who want to sell their products by spreading the rumour of the disease flu. "If you put the vaccine now, it will show positive results of bird flu," Desai warned.

Experts and scientists have not given any conclusive report that says it is bird flu, he said.

If it is not substantially and scientifically evaluated, Singh said any consequence will be completely detrimental to the livelihood of the poultry farming community.