RAHAEL EATING CHICKEN

He told the media he had chicken for lunch and would again have chicken today.

Speaking to reporters at Rosary Boys’ School after overseeing a demonstration of screening for hearing, Rahael said, "There is nothing to be overly concerned about to your health."

He again reiterated that the fungus did not affect humans and was not transmitted from birds to humans. Rahael said the chickens would not survive to the stage where they would be sold to the public.

He said an investigation is taking place into the environment of the farms which have experienced poultry mortality (two at Cumuto and one at Valencia).

He said two of the farms were contracted by Nutrimix and investigations would determine if the environment was causing the deaths. "In Cumuto it was determined that the environment caused this particular fungus, if the one in Valencia is the same, well then that is what it is."

Rahael said if the environment is not responsible then the hatching eggs which are supplied by Nutrimix would have to be investigated.

He said the authorities were concerned about finding out why the chickens were dying. "We need to eventually find out what is causing it; (aspergillosis) conditions at the farm or the hatching eggs, that will be determined in the next day or two." Meanwhile, the Health Ministry yesterday issued a bulletin advising the public that "poultry meats are safe for consumption."

It said the increase in poultry mortality was caused by aspergillosis, a fungus that is widespread in nature particularly in decaying vegetation and compost piles.

The Ministry said its Veterinary Public Health Inspection Programme at poultry processing plants ensures that all birds slaughtered and processed are inspected before and after slaughter.

"This certified that processed poultry is of the highest standard and is safe for consumption."

The Ministry said since 2003 active surveillance of wild birds and commercial flocks has been ongoing and to date there has been no evidence of bird flu caused by H5N1.

Consumers were advised that they should only purchase from operators of "live markets" whose facilities are maintained in a sanitary manner and where employees are properly dressed and holders of food badges.

Yesterday the Poultry Association of TT placed a full-page advertisement also telling the public that "chicken is safe to eat." The ad highlighted: There is no bird flu in TT, aspergillosis is not contagious and "mortality of chickens is not abnormal."

The chicken producers said the recent chicken deaths reported in the media did not represent anything unusual.

The association said the average mortality rate on farms in TT was within world standard — six percent.