Archive for the ‘Outbreaks’ 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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The scare brought about by the new and rising threat from the new and improved H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has scientists clamoring for an immediate cure with the H5N1 still fresh on their minds. The H1N1 strain is still part of the flu family but with a very dangerous twist, it is a combination of the H1N1(swine), H5N1(Avian) and the Human Flu virus that like the other strains is transmittable and can be transmitted from species to species. From animal species it jumps easily to humans and that cross-species jumping trait is a very dangerous combination. Read the rest of this entry »
Sixty-eight thousand birds were recently culled in a Suffolk farm in England. This is part of the UKs Department of Environment, Food, and Agricultures control measures on the most recent bird flu case in the area.
Among the culled birds were 56,000 ducks, 9,000 turkeys and 3,000 geese.
Earlier, DEFRA has culled 28,600 birds in the same area. But new information about other farms being exposed to the bird flu virus led to the latest culling. DEFRA confirmed that the farm involved is owned by the same company which operates Redgrave Park Farm, where the virus was first detected in early November.
Farmers and poultry keepers are enjoined to be vigilant in observing safety measures, and to immediately report any signs of bird flu.
From BBC News
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DEFRA?s first epidemiological report into the recent H5N1 avian flu outbreak in Suffolk indicates the outbreak has been confined to one index case, but fails to “categorically identify the source of the outbreak?.
The report cites ?poor biosecurity? and the location of the free range poultry unit ? just meters away from an ornamental lake which was inhabited by wild birds – as significant findings, and does not rule out wild birds as the source of infection.
Only one of the five dangerous contact (DC) premises, culled by DEFRA as a result of birds being tended by the same stockmen who employed poor biosecurity measures on the first premises, have so far tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
According to the investigation, workers traveled between units without changing overalls, foot wear and, in some cases, without even washing their hands.
Extensive surveillance of both wild and domestic birds in the area continues, however preliminary findings suggest the infection failed to spread beyond the initial infected premises.
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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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