Archive for the ‘Guidelines’ Category
Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly, as poultry manure is a common fertilizer. Thoroughly cook poultry meat, up to 82 degrees Celcius (180 degree Fahrenheit) for 5 to 10 minutes. Also avoid sharing utensils, or using “underwashed” utensil in public food courts or canteens.
Your area’s water supply might also be infected if a bird dropping contaminates the water reservoir. Consult with the water supply company on their safety and purifying measures to make sure the water is clean enough for human consumption.
Wearing respiratory masks may look too paranoid, but once another “outbreak” is announced, masks will be a great protection.
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Flu has been considered one of the most prevalent diseases the world over and with the strain we now call H1N1 or more commonly “Swine Flu/Bird Flu”. Throughout history, scientists have been able to isolate and identify major events/pandemics that have caused deaths sometimes into the millions. Thanks to the advent of a better understanding of genetics and many other advances in the field of virology vaccines are now available that encompasses a wide swath of the many strains this virus takes.
Many in the developed world have received their vaccines but sadly, with most of the world’s population in developing countries a lot still needs to be done. Scientists and medical experts are now armed with better understanding of how the virus spreads and are better equipped than ever to tackle another outbreak should it occur.
Aside from avoiding contact with possibly contaminated birds and poultry, here are other ways to avoid getting infected:
- check for the latest travel advise from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or call their hotline at 1-888-246-2675 when traveling especially when it is an international trip
- when traveling to countries that are known to have bird flu outbreaks, avoid poultry farms and bird markets, and avoid contact with any surfaces that may have poultry feces or secretions
- wash hands frequently, or use alcohol based hand sanitizers
- make sure poultry dishes are cooked thoroughly, as the virus can be destroyed in high temperatures
Bird flu poses no food safety risks. This assurance was announced by the Food Standards Agency on its website following the recent case of bird flu in the Suffolk/Norfolk areas.
Poultry products such as meat and eggs are safe for consumption as long as they have been properly cooked. The Agency reiterated the importance of thoroughly cooking poultry meat and eggs, since the H5 virus is killed with high heat. The virus is not transmitted by eating food, but through close contact with an infected bird. The Agency also advised that people should follow normal food hygiene guidelines when handling raw poultry meat.
For more updates on the recent case, visit the Department of Environment, Food, and Agriculture (DEFRA) website.
News from Medical News Today
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As doctors have been saying all along, bird flu much like any other viral pathogens can easily be dealt with through simple and proper hygiene such as hand washing even with the most ordinary of soaps. Studies and general observation has shown that simple washing of your hands quickly and effectively removes the virus as with the many other types of flu that can be transmitted easy through physical contact with infected people.
Swine flu has all but overtaken the bird-flu epidemic that still lurks in the background taking it’s toll against the other forms of flu and this time being the prime time for spread it is necessary to emphasize the importance of such simple yet effective tasks.