The spread of bird flu has been fully under control in Pakistan, officials said Wednesday.

Pakistan's caretaker Minister for Food and Agriculture Prince Muhammad Isa, Minister for Health Ejaz Rahim made the remarks at a joint press conference here.

Chicken meat can be eaten without any fear of being infected, the officials said, adding that all preventive measures were taken against this disease.

Prince Muhammad Isa said that this disease occurs in different parts of the world periodically, especially during winter.

"We always remain alert to tackle the situation arising out of the Avian influenza," the minister said.

He said that all the infected chickens were culled and buried in southern city of Karachi according to laid down procedure.

"We are following international standard to deal with the situation," he said. "Chicken meat can be used without any fear, and it will have no adverse effect on human health."

He said that a check and balance system have been introduced under which harmful food items are not allowed to enter the market.

Healthy chickens were vaccinated and this process was completed, according to Isa, who added that poultry farms were provided with free of charge anti-bird flu vaccine.

Health Minister Ejaz Rahim said that his ministry in coordination with the food ministry and other organizations has taken tangible steps against contagious disease and the results were successful.

The authorities of Sindh province last week confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in a poultry farm in Karachi, capital city of Sindh. 

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2008)