Avian flu: Is it safe to eat chicken and eggs?

Is it safe to eat chicken and eggs? The Avian flu is in full swing in South Africa and many are worried if it is safe to consume chicken and egg products.

AVIAN FLU: IS IT SAFE TO EAT CHICKEN AND EGGS?

South Africa’s RCL Foods (RCLJ.J) said earlier this week its poultry unit Rainbow has culled 410,000 chickens due to the country’s worst outbreak of avian flu, heightening fears of chicken meat and egg shortages.

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The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, a bird flu that spreads rapidly in an infected flock, causing a high death rate, has already impacted table egg supplies in the country, and producers have warned of chicken meat shortages in the coming weeks.

WARNINGS OF CHICKEN SHORTAGES IN THE COMING WEEKS

Izaak Breitenbach, general manager of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), said the public does not need to be concerned.

“All chicken and eggs from HPAI-positive sites are disposed of on-site. No HPAI-positive eggs or meat will enter the supply chain.”

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THE AVIAN FLU POSES NO THREAT TO THE MEAT AND EGGS BOUGHT

Meanwhile, the National Department of Agriculture assured consumers that the bird disease poses no threat to the meat and eggs bought at retail markets.

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“The department would like to reassure consumers that commercial poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat. Care should, however, be taken when preparing food to avoid other foodborne pathogens.”

the National Department of Agriculture said.

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INFECTED BIRDS QUICKLY BECAME SICK AND DIED

The department added that birds infected with HPAI quickly became sick and died.

“Generally the first sign of sick animals, including birds, is a drop in egg production; meaning that sick birds will produce few (if any) eggs”

the National Department of Agriculture said.

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• The poultry that died would have either been deliberately culled or perished from the virus, adding that SA had a “stamp-out policy” that would see poultry culled within a 3km radius of the infections.
• About 1.5 million birds had died in all three outbreaks – either through culling or expiring from the flu.
• Various outbreaks in recent did not just affect SA but also hit North and South America, as well as Europe.