PUNE: “Rumours about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and poultry products that have been circulating on social media since February 4 has hit the poultry industry very badly. It has resulted in a loss of Rs 150 crore in last 15 days,” said PG Pedgaonkar, General Manager at Venky’s. 

He was speaking during a press conference organised by the Animal Husbandry Commissionerate on ‘Novel Corona Virus’ on Thursday in the city.
 
Sachindra Pratap Singh, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, BV Tandale, Scientist, National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, Rajesh Karyakarte, Deputy Dean, Sassoon Hospital and Dr D Parkale Additional Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry were present during the conference. 

Pedgaonkar further said, “The daily consumption of chicken in the State is around 3,000-3,500 tonnes but was reduced to 2,000 tonnes due to the rumours circulating on the social media websites. The State poultry business was hit badly and incurred a daily loss of Rs 10 to 11 crore. However, since the government’s intervention, things have started improving as consumers too have gained confidence and started consuming chicken.” 

Singh said, “The rumours circulating on social media regarding the connection of novel coronavirus and consumption of poultry products has been reported to the cybercrime department and investigation is going on. Consumers are completely safe to use poultry products as they are not the cause of novel coronavirus in human beings.” 

He also informed that the State Animal Husbandry Department and Central government has released a notification in the second week of February. Tandale also said that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through poultry consumption.