The Animal Husbandry department of the government was already keeping a vigil on the 15 poultry farms in Delhi and also checking the poultry brought to Delhi from neighbouring states, Health Minister Yoganand Shastri said.

With numerous inquiries and panic stricken residents rushing to doctors, inquiring about the bird flu, Dr Ashutosh Shukla, consultant, Internal Medicine Department at Artemis Health Institute helped Newsline outline some myths and facts about the disease.

The bird flu is a contagious disease caused by H5N1 virus that normally infect only birds.

Myth: Immediately stop eating chicken and eggs.

Fact: No. Experts say if chicken is well-cooked, it is perfectly safe to eat. However, raw meat and raw eggs should be completely avoided.

Myth: I'm having respiratory/lung trouble and muscle ache. Can it be bird flu. Should Tamiflu be taken?

Fact: No. Tamiflu or Oseltamivir is an anti-viral drug. It is thought to increase resistance to the flu virus, but it would not necessarily work as a preventive. It should never be taken without prescription.

Myth: Tamiflu is a wonder drug.

Fact: It isn't. Scientists are not sure whether it is 100 per cent effective. However, it is thought to relieve the symptoms of bird flu in infected people even though there are side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Myth: I should stock up on Tamiflu to be safe.

Fact: No need. There is no point in stockpiling Tamiflu as it won't give you blanket protection.

Myth: I should take antibiotics to protect myself.

Fact: Antibiotics work against bacteria, not virus.

Myth: Bird flu can spread among people.

Fact: So far there have been a few cases of a possible human-to-human transmission of the virus, including a suspected case of a mother and her daughter in Thailand. But more investigation is needed.

Myth: I should stay away from chickens.