- In recent years, two individuals within the U.S. have contracted chicken flu from animals.
- Their signs had been gentle, they usually recovered shortly.
- The danger of transmission from animals to people is taken into account to be low.
- Eggs and dairy are protected, offered the eggs are cooked and the dairy is pasteurized.
- Experts say it’s most secure to keep away from uncooked animal merchandise.
On April 1, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported {that a} person in Texas had examined optimistic for extremely pathogenic avian influenza, also referred to as “bird flu.”
According to the company, the person had been uncovered to the HPAI A(H5N1) virus by way of presumably contaminated dairy cattle.
The
This report brings the entire variety of people within the U.S. who’ve contracted the virus to 2.
The CDC beforehand launched a
The signs once more had been gentle, with the affected person reporting feeling drained for just a few days after which recovering after present process isolation and antiviral remedy.
Given the truth that these individuals contracted the virus by publicity to each cows and chickens, this begs the query of whether or not individuals might probably catch chicken flu by ingesting milk or consuming eggs. Here’s what well being specialists must say.
Dr. Daisy May — a veterinary surgeon and pet care author for All About Parrots — defined that HPAI can unfold quickly amongst wild birds and home poultry like chickens and turkeys.
“It’s been wreaking havoc on poultry farms across the country this year,” she stated.
May went on to say that, though chicken flu is principally an animal well being problem, there have been instances the place it jumped to people after they had been in extraordinarily shut, extended contact with contaminated animals.
“So it seems the risk is relatively low but not zero,” stated May.
The CDC echoed May’s opinion, stating that “[t]his infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low.”
People who work intently over prolonged durations of time with contaminated animals — particularly those that will not be taking precautions — are on the biggest danger, they notice.
May stated the larger query on everybody’s thoughts is whether or not our meals provide is protected.
“For eggs, as long as you’re fully cooking them until the yolks are firm with no runny parts, the risks are very low, according to food safety experts,” she stated. “Any potentially present virus would be killed off by proper heat treatment.”
According to May, it’s uncooked or undercooked eggs that would pose an issue for the reason that virus could possibly survive within the yolk.
“As for milk and dairy, we’re in great shape there thanks to pasteurization,” she stated. “That heating process is more than enough to neutralize any lingering bird flu virus.”
So, you possibly can proceed to eat milk, cheese, yogurt, and different dairy merchandise with out fear, based on May.
She added, nonetheless, that one space of concern is uncooked, unpasteurized dairy merchandise such as you would get hold of from small farms or personal sellers.
“While there haven’t been any documented cases of transmission that way, some extra caution may be warranted,” stated May.
However, it’s additionally vital to notice that it’s attainable to contract different (typically bacterial) diseases from
May stated that when you “want to play it extra safe,” it’s best to keep on with totally cooked eggs and pasteurized dairy merchandise.
It’s additionally important to correctly deal with and prepare dinner all meat and poultry, ensuring it reaches a protected inside temperature, she stated. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this may be 165 °F (73.9 °C) for poultry and 145 °F (62.8 °C) for beef as measured with a meals thermometer.
Finally, ensure you do an intensive job of washing your fingers once you work with any uncooked animal merchandise, stated May.
Nancy Mitchell — a registered nurse and a contributing author at Assisted Living — added that it’s vital to additionally watch out about the way you deal with eggshells.
“Feces from infected birds will likely carry the bird flu virus,” she defined. “This means that handling eggs that are still soiled with bird feces could put you at risk of contracting the illness.”
If you might be dealing with eggshells, use single-use gloves and keep away from touching your face along with your fingers previous to washing them with cleaning soap and water, she stated.
Mitchell additional advises that you just don’t assume an eggshell is clear simply because there’s no seen signal of feces.
“Viruses are microscopic, and fecal particles could be lingering in places that the naked eye can’t detect,” she stated.
However, it’s vital to notice that almost all USDA-graded eggs or large-volume egg processors embrace a washing step followed by a sanitizing rinse.
In recent years, there have been two reported instances of chicken flu being transmitted from animals to people.
The CDC states that the chance of contracting chicken flu is low, however the danger is bigger for many who are working intently with contaminated animals over an prolonged time frame.
Experts say to keep away from consuming uncooked eggs or ingesting unpasteurized milk.
You must also guarantee that poultry and different meats attain an enough inside temperature with a view to kill any pathogens that is perhaps current.
Other steps you possibly can take to guard your self embrace utilizing gloves to deal with any probably contaminated eggshells, not touching your face with unwashed fingers, and washing your fingers completely after dealing with uncooked animal merchandise.
