Does hen flu have an effect on my meals?

Chicken flu (avian influenza) has turn into an elevated concern within the well being neighborhood all through the US.

Throughout the previous yr, the illness has unfold to cattle, and 68 individuals in North America have turn into in poor health from the illness and one has died.

The considered the potential danger of contracting the illness from store-bought meals ready and consumed at house is regarding to many customers.

Right here, UConn Extension educators present data on tips on how to stop danger from hen flu publicity and tips on how to put together meals correctly to make sure meals security.

What’s hen flu and the way does it unfold?

“Chicken flu” is the title that has been used to explain a illness brought on by the avian influenza virus (H5N1). It could possibly unfold amongst wild birds, poultry, cattle, pigs, and different animals.

Though unusual, in a number of circumstances the avian influenza virus has crossed over and induced sickness in individuals. Human an infection can happen by way of contact with bodily fluids or feces (poop) of contaminated birds or animals, and from touching surfaces which were involved with contaminated birds or animals.

Farm employees, hunters, and individuals who deal with birds and animals for pets or livestock could be a danger for hen flu.

How can I defend myself from hen flu?

Those that attend agricultural gala’s, or go to farms ought to wash their palms totally with cleaning soap and water after dealing with or petting birds and animals. Many areas have positioned tighter restrictions on occasions akin to petting zoos to attenuate danger.

Correct meals security practices together with hand washing and kitchen hygiene scale back the danger and unfold of foodborne sicknesses, together with hen flu.

Totally cooking poultry and meats kills dangerous micro organism and viruses. Safely ready and cooked poultry are suitable for eating.

Correct meals security practices are essential daily. Along with correct processing, correct dealing with and cooking of poultry offers safety from viruses and micro organism, together with hen flu.

Consuming uncooked milk will be dangerous as a result of uncooked milk might include viruses and micro organism. Pasteurization, a warmth therapy course of, successfully kills these dangerous viruses and micro organism.

Tips on how to put together meals safely

Bear in mind, comply with these 4 fundamental meals security steps: Clear, separate, cook dinner, and chill.

• Prepare dinner poultry to an inner temperature of at the least 165 levels Fahrenheit.
• Floor beef ought to have a cooked temperature of 160 levels Fahrenheit.
• Complete cuts of beef ought to attain an inner temperature of 145 levels Fahrenheit after resting for 3 minutes.
• Preserve uncooked poultry and meats separated from cooked meals to keep away from cross-contamination.
• Totally wash all surfaces, utensils, and palms after dealing with uncooked and cooked meals.