bird flu

nitong mga nakaraang araw... may kumalat sa text messages regarding bird flu, telling us not to eat chicken dahil may bird flu na raw sa pilipinas. sabi naman sa balita, this is just a hoax. read this, wala pang bird flu sa pinas.

syempre, medyo concerned citizen din ako, hehehe, kumakain din kaya ako ng manok. should i stay away from them? halimbawa, may bird flu na talaga, tigil na muna ba ako sa pagkain ng manok? siguro. it is better to be safe than sorry, sabi nga ni mareng erica.

syempre, research pa rin ako... pwede ba tayong magkasakit kung makakain tayo ng manok na may bird flu? ang sagot... oo, kung kakainin mo ng hilaw... or half cooked. pero kung maayos naman ang pagkakaluto, kahit infected pa yan ng bird flu, the virus will die. totoo? oo. ito sabi ng WHO (world health organization)...

Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?

Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of the disease, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed as usual (following good hygienic practices and proper cooking), with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.

In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink� parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny� yolks).

Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products Soap and hot water are sufficient for this purpose.

In areas experiencing outbreaks in poultry, raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be further heat-treated as, for example by cooking or baking.

Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. To date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even when these foods were contaminated with the H5N1 virus.

source: Avian Influenza Frequently Asked Questions.

hayan ang sabi nila, safe naman palang kumain ng chicken, basta maayos ang pagkakaluto. sabi pa nga nila, kahit infected pa, basta niluto nga ng maayos, hindi ka magkakasakit. kung magkasakit ka pa rin kahit maayos na ang pagkakaluto, malas mo dahil ikaw ang una! pwede kang ilagay sa Guinness Book of World Records... hehehe, ang unang taong na-infect ng bird flu due to consumption of properly cooked poultry products... ito nga kasi ang sabi ng WHO, iquote ko ulit... "Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. To date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even when these foods were contaminated with the H5N1 virus."

yun lang.