Indian Railway's Ban Chicken

NEW DELHI - Feb 21/06 - SNS -- Outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in the Indian state of Maharashtra has prompted the country's railways to immediately ban serving chicken dishes and eggs to passengers "in any form from any Railway static catering units and mobile catering units until further orders."

The government said, "Instructions to this effect have already been issued to all zonal railways and to Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC). The decision has been taken in public interest."

In making the decision, the government said the H5N1 strain of avian influenza is "highly contagious" and "infection occurs though contact with poultry (chicken and eggs) and chances of infection among the catering staff handling raw meat and eggs, and the passengers in the present circumstances is very high.

"A close watch is being kept on the progress of the disease in other parts of the country and further orders will follow depending upon the progress of the disease."