Patna: The Bihar government has temporarily removed eggs from the mid-day meal menu in state-run schools due to the recent outbreak of bird flu (H5N1 virus). This decision was made in response to an alert issued by the Union fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying ministry regarding the increasing incidence of bird flu in the state.

According to Sahila, primary education and MDM director, students will be provided with seasonal fruits like apples or bananas instead of eggs. The additional chief secretary of the education department has directed that eggs be removed from the menu with immediate effect, and directions to provide eggs again will be issued once the situation returns to normal.

The bird flu outbreak was first detected at a poultry farm in Patna, where chickens were found dead on February 27.

Samples tested positive for the H5N1 virus, leading to culling operations in the affected area. Bihar animal and fisheries resources department additional chief secretary N Vijaya Lakshmi confirmed that bird flu has been detected in Patna and Bhagalpur districts, and control and containment operations are underway.

While the sale and purchase of poultry and poultry products have been banned in the infected zone, Vijaya Lakshmi assured that consuming well-cooked eggs and poultry (over 70 degrees Celsius) is safe, and there is no reason to panic.