In recent case that cause panic for public health safety, 2 men arrested in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district for allegedly selling Bat Meat as chicken at roadside stalls. The incident came to light after a raid carried out by the Forest Department in the Thoppur Ramasamy wooded area.
Bat Meat selling as chilli chicken on Fast food stall
During interrogation, the accused—identified as Kamal, aged 36, and Selvam, aged 35—admitted to serving bat meat as “chilli chicken”. Officials showed that the unsuspecting public had been fed on the beef, believing it to be chicken.
“This is a critical offence both from a flora and fauna conservation and public health attitude,” said Ranger Vimal Kumar, who led the enforcement operation. “We taken the two into custody, and a investigation is ongoing to determine the entire extent of this illegal interests.”
Health risks associated with Meat consumption
Experts have expressed concern over the exercise, warning of the high health risks related to the intake of this meat. Fruit bats are recognized services of deadly zoonotic viruses, including Nipah, Ebola, Marburg, and Rabies. The risk increasing because the beef is undercooked or improperly treated, that lead to outbreaks of deadly illnesses.
“This isn’t just a legal violation—it’s a public health disaster,” said virologist. Consuming Bat Meat, mainly with no veterinary inspection or hygiene protocol, is an invitation to catastrophe.”
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