News: Media Kits: Asian Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)
Information Compiled by the Georgia Poultry Federation
From the National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation:
Perhaps you have heard about avian influenza, or "bird flu," in Asia. Maybe you are wondering if there is any danger of getting "bird flu" from eating chicken or turkey. The answer is "No."
The facts are:
- The type of avian influenza occurring in Asia is called H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 HPAI). We have never had H5N1 HPAI in the United States and do not have it now.
- We do not import any chicken, turkey, or poultry products from Asia. The fresh poultry products you see in the store are all produced in the United States except for a very small amount produced in Canada.
- Avian influenza is caused by a virus. Like all microorganisms, it is killed by the heat of normal cooking. Even if avian influenza were in the United States, there is no danger of getting it from normally and properly cooked poultry.
From the Egg Safety Center:
Are eggs safe to eat? Yes, eggs are safe to eat.
If egg laying hens develop AI, one of the first symptoms is that they stop laying eggs. If the virus is discovered, the farm is quarantined. Table eggs are washed and sanitized before being sold so that if virus were present on the shell, it would be inactivated.
From the American Association of Avian Pathologists and the American College of Poultry Veterinarians:
There is no danger of acquiring Asian Bird Flu from
properly cooked poultry or poultry products. Avian
influenza virus is easily destroyed by the heat of
normal cooking. Additionally, infected or even suspect
poultry would not be sold in the U.S. because of our
existing USDA food inspection system. In the unlikely
possibility that infected poultry was processed for food,
standard good food handling practices of washing
hands after handling raw poultry, or any meat, would
greatly reduce the chance of a food related disease
outbreak.
The U.S. does not have Asian Bird Flu and we do not legally import poultry from any of the affected Asian countries. Virtually all of the chicken and turkey sold in the United States is produced in the United States, and the U.S. is one of the major poultry exporters in the world.
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Consumer Information
Available in English and Spanish through the Meat/Poultry Hotline, 1-888-674-6854, Monday through Friday.
Virtual Representative
Available on the Web 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Go to: Ask a Food Safety Question.