Q. It is possible to contract Avian influenza from eating poultry products?

A. There has been concern that individuals can be infected with avian influenza through contact with contaminated poultry products.

According to the WHOAvian Influenza web page, "to date, no epidemiological data suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans through properly cooked food (even if contaminated with the virus prior to cooking). However, in a few instances, cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made of raw contaminated poultry blood."

Avian Influenza is carried naturally in wild birds and is easily transmissible to domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys via feces, mucus, and saliva. The current outbreak of avian influenza A among poultry in Asia and Europe is the highly pathogenic strain H5N1. People should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. Thorough cooking to proper temperatures will inactivate the virus.

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