In Reply to: flu posted by balimark on Monday, 20. August 2007 at 11:40 Bali Time:
As a veterinarian I do understand the biology of bird flu and i eat eggs and chicken every day in Bali. When bird flu first hit Bali about 3 years ago and one farmer lost about 2000 birds he felt the loss was not too bad because he was able to sell them all - all would have been fried chicken next day !!
Have a look at these articles
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From Ottawa Hospital
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
What is the "Bird Flu"?
Avian or Bird Flu is a type of influenza virus. Influenza viruses can infect several animal species, including birds, pigs, horses, seals and whales. Influenza viruses that infect birds are called 'avian influenza viruses.' Wild birds are considered the natural hosts for influenza virus. Avian influenza viruses do not usually directly infect humans.
Where did it originate?
Wild birds are a natural reservoir for these viruses and may carry these viruses without becoming ill due to natural resistance. Wild waterfowl can then be responsible for the primary introduction of infection into domestic poultry. In intensive poultry rearing systems, young fattening turkeys and laying hens are usually the most affected species.
Is this a form of SARS?
No. SARS is caused by a coronavirus, not an influenza virus.
How is avian influenza spread?
Certain birds act as hosts of influenza viruses. Infected birds shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Avian influenza viruses spread to susceptible birds when they have contact with contaminated nasal, respiratory and fecal material from infected birds. However, fecal-to-oral transmission is the most common mode of spread among birds (for example, contaminated food and water supplies).
Can the avian influenza be spread to humans from infected birds?
In rare instances, people can contract avian influenza. The exact mode of transmission from birds to people is not known, but most human cases of avian flu have been traced to direct contact with live infected birds or their droppings.
Is it possible to get the bird flu from eating chicken or eggs?
It is safe to eat poultry and eggs. However, Health Canada is advising travelers to affected areas in Asia that they should not consume undercooked poultry, raw eggs or lightly cooked egg products (such as runny eggs). It is also recommended to avoid unnecessary contact with live poultry. This includes markets where live birds are sold, as it is possible for the avian influenza virus to stick to hair and clothing, and it may also be inhaled.
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WHO Says Cooked Poultry, Eggs Not Bird Flu Risk
Geneva
08 January 2006
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Turkish agriculture ministry official carries a chicken as he collects poultry for culling in the eastern Turkish town of Dogubayazit, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006
The World Health Organization is reassuring people that they are not at risk of contracting the avian flu virus from eating properly cooked poultry and eggs.
The World Health Organization says it is worried people may stop eating chicken because of the growing concern about bird flu. During the mad cow scare, sales of beef plummeted. WHO spokesman Ian Simpson tells VOA there is no need to panic.
"At this stage, there is no evidence of anyone having become sick, anyone becoming infected with avian influenza as a result of eating properly cooked, properly prepared meat and egg from poultry," said Mr. Simpson. "So, there is no reason to stop eating chicken. There is no reason to stop eating eggs. But, there is every reason to insure that any chicken meat, any poultry meat or any eggs that are consumed are properly prepared and properly cooked."
The World Health Organization says thorough cooking will kill any virus, including the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu. Eggs from sick birds could also contain the virus. So, the World Health Organization advises people from affected areas not to eat raw, or undercooked eggs.
The U.N. health agency says birds from diseased flocks should not enter the food chain, and infected birds should not be used for animal feed. But, the World Health Organization says consumers run no risk of getting the virus through handling or eating poultry in areas where there is no bird flu outbreak.
Mr. Simpson says people in affected areas often are exposed to the H5N1 virus during the slaughtering and subsequent handling of diseased or dead birds. He says people can take precautionary measures.
"For example, if people are preparing them, they should ideally be wearing protection of their face, and also protection of their hands," he added. "That the area where they are protecting them should be a hygienic area. It should be able to be completely cleaned, so that, at the end of the day, or at the end of the shift, when the chickens have been prepared, that all of the waste material is gotten rid of safely and hygienically, so that the waste material does not pose any risk to people coming into the area afterwards."
The World Health Organization says raw meat should be separated from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination. It says people preparing food in areas with avian-flu outbreaks should wash hands frequently, and all surfaces and utensils that have been in contact with raw meat should be washed and disinfected.
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