There are reports of an outbreak of H5N1 Avian flu in chickens in the North of Nigeria and possibly in the Federal Territory. It is important to put the human risk into perspective. H5N1 is a disease of poultry, and it’s spread to Africa was inevitable as it is known to be carried by migrating birds from areas that are already infected. The human form of disease caused by H5N1 has occurred in a small percentage of poultry handlers who have significant contact with infected chickens or to inhalation or ingestion of their infected faeces. There is no evidence of a public health risk from eating chicken meat, other poultry or their eggs. They are safe to eat. The simple health advice to reduce any negligible risk to an absolutely insignificant risk is:
1. Observe good hygiene practice and wash hands after touching chickens or other live poultry
2. Ensure chicken or other poultry is cooked properly. A temperature of 70’C thoroughly kills the virus and is easily obtained in properly cooked chicken.
3. Do not eat “pink” chicken, or if there is bleeding on cutting the meat
4. Cook eggs properly after washing them
5. Wash hands before and after touching raw meat, eggs or other foodstuffs
6. Ensure you do not cross contaminate other foods with raw chicken or other meats
The above measures are simple universal hygiene precautions that should be routinely taken to minimise your risk of infections from food.