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Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a virus that infects domestic poultry such as chickens and ducks. It is also known as bird flu or H5N1.

There are 2 groups of Avian Influenza strains. and they are the low pathogenic avain influenze (LPAI) and the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)

LPAI occurs in wild birds and is able to spread to domestic birds. no signs of infection would be shown. LPAI is of little threat to human health. however, HPAI found in chickens and ducks spreads faster than LPAI, has a higher death rate in birds and is fatal.

This virus is commonly spread by direct contact and indirect contact. Healthy birds in contact with the infected birds, would possibly caught the virus. The virus can also be spread by indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials.

The virus can be found in the faeces of infected birds, and even on shells of eggs.
HPAI can infect the egg yolk, albumen or the egg white. In direct contact with infected birds, HPAI can be spread to humans and consequences are undesirable.

Avian Influenza would not be transmitted when poultry or eggs are not properly prepared. This is because when infected hens stopped laying eggs, it is a sign of illness, and the eggs that were layed by the infected hens would not be washed and graded as the shells of these eggs are weak. Thus, stopping the production of eggs when an outbreak of HPAI is suspected even without a confirmed diagnosis of the virus. That is why eggs sold in the markets are safe to consume and is unlikely to be contaminated with the virus.

Salmonella, being the common foodborne pathogen in eggs, might cause the body to be ill. Eggs, poultry products should be cooked thoroughly and to the right temperature, this can prevent Salmonella to flourish. Also, it is important to prevent cross contamination between raw and cooked food.


Reference
U.S. FDA/Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. (2004). What Consumers Need To Know About Avian Flu. Retrieved: March 3, 2008. Available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/avfluqa.html

Love,
Lynette