The Delhi government on Wednesday issued an advisory in view of bird flu cases in the city, PTI reported. The government has urged people not to panic and follow a set of dos and don’ts, in light of the flu outbreak.

Also read: History of bird flu and how it spreads

“Eat only completely cooked eggs and poultry products cooked at 70°C for 30 minutes. Do not consume half-cooked chicken or bird or half-boiled and half-fried eggs,” the advisory issued by the Directorate General of Health Services stated.

Do not keep raw poultry meat near cooked meat. Wash hands frequently at the time of handling raw poultry products. Take due care of personal hygiene and maintain cleanliness in surroundings, it cautioned.

All slaughter waste must be disposed of properly, the DGHS authorities said, PTI reported

In its advisory, the government has cautioned people to “avoid contact and prevent exposure from sick-looking sluggish chicken. Avoid direct contact with bird secretions and droppings,” adding that bowls used for feeding birds, and their cages should be washed properly with soap or detergent.

It further cautioned people to not touch dead birds with naked hands and if any bird is found dead, they have been asked to call the control room at phone number 23890318.

In an attempt to allay people’s concerns, the advisory stated that “H5N8 is highly pathogenic in birds but the pathogenicity in humans, as well as the likelihood of human infection with avian influenza (AH5N8) virus, is low.”

Reports of over 50 bird deaths were received on a helpline of the Delhi government’s animal husbandry unit, and 18 samples from different parts of the city were sent for avian flu testing on Tuesday, officials had said.

Testing of samples of crows and ducks had confirmed bird flu cases in the national capital on Monday, prompting the city government to impose a ban on sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city.

The Ghazipur poultry market has also closed by authorities.

North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation on Wednesday banned the sale, purchase, processing and packaging of chicken across their jurisdiction, ANI reported.  All hotels and restaurants were also directed to not serve poultry meat, related products and dishes made with eggs.