Avian influenza: public health and food safety concerns

[tetano]

Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. 2011;2:37-57.
Avian influenza: public health and food safety concerns (*).
Chmielewski R, Swayne DE.
Source

Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, Georgia 30605; email: David.Swayne@ars.usda.gov.
Abstract

Avian influenza (AI) is a disease or asymptomatic infection caused by Influenzavirus A. AI viruses are species specific and rarely cross the species barrier. However, subtypes H5, H7, and H9 have caused sporadic infections in humans, mostly as a result of direct contact with infected birds. H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus causes a rapid onset of severe viral pneumonia and is highly fatal (60% mortality). Outbreaks of AI could have a severe economic and social impact on the poultry industry, trade, and public health. Surveillance data revealed that H5N1 HPAI has been detected in imported frozen duck meat from Asia, and on the surface and in contaminated eggs.

However, there is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Implementing management practices that incorporate biosecurity principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses.

PMID:
22129374
[PubMed - in process]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129374

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Avian influenza: public health and food safety concerns

This is one of those strange conundrums. No one has tested if a person can get sick from eating say a H5N1 contaminated egg. Humans used as guinea pigs for possible flu infection via contaminated eggs (or any other contaminated food source) is not condoned. However, we do know that you can get sick from inhaling flu virus, or getting them in your mouth or, eyes or, any other oriface. Therefore it would seem an obvious conclusion that eating an uncooked or only partially cooked egg would be a viable means of infection. There is empiric evidence that some have indeed gotten sick eating partially cooked chicken. Also the mass tiger die-off in the sanctuary was from feeding uncooked chickens that had died from H5N1 infection.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: Avian influenza: public health and food safety concerns

Avian influenza (AI) is a disease or asymptomatic infection caused by Influenzavirus A. AI viruses are species specific and rarely cross the species barrier. . . .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129374

This is simply an erroneous statement in regards to H5N1. Currently H5N1 is a zoonosis and has infected dozens of species including insects, mammals, and birds. (link)

Following up on Shannon's comments. . . .

However, there is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. . . . .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129374

This statement is also arguably not true. At least one individual from Vietnam in 2009 was widely reported in the local media to have contracted H5N1 after consumption of duck blood pudding or soup. (FluTrackers thread link) The WHO announcment in this case stated "the source of infections was under investigation". (link) WHO never provided a follow up report identifying the source of infection for this case.

Despite these issues, the recommendations for handling, cleaning, processing, and cooking poultry are sound advice for preventing the spread and infection from the H5N1 virus.