There’s plenty of talk in the media these days about Avian Influenza or the “bird flu.” Let’s get consumers some real information and let’s get farmers up to speed on what to do if there is an infectious situation on their farm.
Can I get avian influenza from eating poultry or eggs?
No. Poultry and eggs that are properly prepared and cooked are safe to eat. Proper food safety practices are important every day. In addition to proper processing, proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection from viruses and bacteria, including avian influenza. As we remind consumers each and every day, there are four basic food safety steps to follow: CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK, and CHILL.
How can USDA assure consumers that avian influenza infected meat will not enter the food supply?
The chance of infected poultry entering the food chain is extremely low. As part of the USDA highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan, infected birds do not enter the food supply. Additionally, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection program personnel are assigned to every federally inspected meat, poultry and egg product plant in America. All poultry products for public consumption are inspected for signs of disease both before and after slaughter. The "inspected for wholesomeness by the U.S. Department of Agriculture" seal ensures the poultry is free from visible signs of disease.
Does proper food handling prevent avian influenza?
Avian influenza is not transmissible by eating properly prepared poultry, so properly prepared and cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat. The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is extremely low because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards USDA has in place, which include testing of flocks, and Federal inspection programs. USDA works to educate the public about safe food handling practices in response to numerous questions from the public about the human risk associated with avian influenza.
What does proper food handling mean?
Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection against all avian influenza.
What does proper food handling mean?
Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection against all avian influenza viruses, as it does against other viruses and bacteria, including Salmonella and E.coli. Safe food handling and preparation is important at all times. USDA continually reminds consumers to practice safe food handling and preparation every day. Cooking poultry, eggs, and other poultry products to the proper temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food is the key to safety. You should: Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs; Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw poultry and eggs away from other foods; After cutting raw meat, wash cutting board, knife, and countertops with hot, soapy water; Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach in one gallon of water; and USDA Questions and Answers: Food Safety and Avian Influenza April 2015; Use a food thermometer to ensure poultry has reached the safe internal temperature of at least 165 °F to kill foodborne germs that might be present, including the avian influenza viruses.
Where can I get more information about safe food handling?
Consumers with questions about the safe storage, handling, or preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products, can call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at: 1-888-MPHotline, that’s 1-888-674-6854. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Also, “Ask Karen" is the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day to answer your questions at www.fsis.usda.gov
For Farmers:
What types of birds are affected by bird flu?
Bird flu most commonly affects waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans, but can also infect other birds like chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, pheasants, pea fowl, and partridges. Some pet birds like parrots and finches can also be susceptible.
How can poultry get bird flu?
Poultry can get bird flu if they come into contact with infected wild birds or share food, water, and environments with them.
What should I do if I suspect bird flu on my farm?
If you suspect bird flu on your farm, you should: Report it. Isolate sick or exposed animals. Contact your veterinarian, state animal health official, or the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge. Monitor yourself and your workers for respiratory illness symptoms for 10 days after exposure
How do I prevent bird flu on my farm?
You can try these measures to prevent bird flu on your farm: Repair holes and tears in barn walls. Remove unnecessary ledges or horizontal surfaces. Install exclusionary netting, screens, and perch deterrents. Before nesting season, wash away or remove old nests.
What should I do if I have a bird flu outbreak on my farm?
If you have a bird flu outbreak on your farm, you should: Depopulate all affected and exposed poultry. Clean and disinfect your site. Keep your site empty for at least 14 days. Allow the USDA to collect and test environmental samples from your property.
“I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick.” -Muhammad Ali
Ron Kern is the manager of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.
