Coronavirus does not spread through chicken, mutton, seafood: FSSAI Chief

There is no scientific evidence to show that coronavirus spreads through eating chicken, mutton and seafood, shares G S G Ayyangar, Chief, FSSAI.

"It is basically an animal virus. Let us leave it to scientists to figure out how it has been transmitted. However, ours is a tropical country and once the temperature crosses 35-36 degrees celsius, no virus will survive,” he added.

There are at least 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in India.

Amid apprehensions that the infection could spread through eating chicken, mutton and seafood, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO said there is a misconception about it.

"There is a misconception that coronavirus will spread through chicken, mutton and seafood. There is nothing like that. It is scientifically not proven,” he further added.

Ayyangar, who was earlier with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said it is a matter of time that vaccine for coronavirus will be developed as India has a good track of handling viruses.

"Whether it is Ebola virus or Avian flu, we have handled them very well. It is a matter of time. We have to take precaution. We have to be on our toes," he said.