UP free from Bird Flu, claims state health minister

Lucknow, Feb 23 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh health and family welfare minister Ahmed Hassan today claimed that the state was free from Bird Flu, but cautioned the people to be on alert against any outbreak.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Hassan said, ''Uttar Pradesh is free from the Avian Influenza, as not even a single case of the dreaded disease had been spotted in the state so far.'' Mr Hassan also denied reports of Bird Flu triggered deaths of chicken in the state. ''The death of 1,400 chickens in the Etawah district was not caused by Bird Flu,'' he maintained.

The minister also said that special arrangements have been in public hospitals of the state to deal with any outbreak of the avian influenza.

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