Virus that killed chickens has no affect on humans: VRI

The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) said yesterday that although the low pathogenic virus that killed a large number of chickens this week had no risk to human health, steps had been taken by the authorities to keep a three kilometre radius surrounding the farm under strict surveillance.

After a virus which was suspected to be bird flu spread in the Bingiriya chicken farm earlier this week the Health Ministry had ordered to cull some 5,300 chickens in the farm.VRI Chief Kumara De Silva said the virus that emerged was found in Sri Lanka for the first time. “It is a low pathogenic virus to birds and had no risk whatsoever to human beings. People need not have any fear,” he said.