The avian influenza epidemic in China has so far cost the poultry industry in the country more than 40 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) as consumers avoid chicken, state media reported on Monday, citing assessments from government officials.
Since the end of March, the sector has been losing an average of 1 billion yuan daily, reported the Beijing Times, quoting Lia Xirong, head of the State Administration for Animal Husbandry.
The H7N9 strain of the avian influenza virus has infected 130 people in China, and since it was first identified in humans, 35 have died, according to the latest official data.
– Sales have collapsed and prices have plummeted, causing significant financial problems and job losses – said Li.
Wang Zongli, also an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that government agencies should set a good example for the public by ‘properly handling poultry products,’ the report adds.
China has recorded several food safety incidents in recent years, including the 2008 case of melamine traces in dairy products.
