Ajit Pawar asks people not to eat undercooked chicken amid GBS scare

Pawar, while addressing reporters in Pune, allayed concerns about poultry transmission of the disease and clarified that there was no need to kill chickens. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of GBS cases. “Recently, a GBS outbreak was reported in the Khadakvasla dam area (in Pune). Some linked it to water contamination while others speculated that it was caused by eating chicken. After a detailed review, it was concluded that there was no need to kill chickens,” Pawar said. He advised people to cook their food, especially chicken, thoroughly to avoid health complications. GBS infection can be contracted through contaminated water and food, especially food containing ‘Campylobacter jejuni bacteria’. “Doctors also advise that food should be cooked thoroughly,” he said. The GBS situation is under control and there is no need to cull the chickens.” Meanwhile, a new case of GBS was reported on Saturday, taking the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in the state to 208, according to health officials.