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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 2:22 pm: | 
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We are all used to looking at security issues now when making travel plans, but I'm wondering if folks are avoiding some places in Asia/Europe etc for fear of bird flu (on trips where there will be no handling of chickens etc)? |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1407
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 2:35 pm: |
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I don't think I've ever planned a trip in which I would be handling chickens or hanging out with chicken handlers, so I'd have to say no, I don't really think about it.
I have to admit though that I did (try) to avoid eating chicken when I was in China last year, but I only lasted about a week and then I ate chicken and duck (I was in Beijing, how could I not have duck??). It seems kind of silly that I would have avoided it now that I think about it.... I didn't eat beef when I was in London years ago when Mad Cow was just making the headlines.
But, I don't really take the bird flu into consideration when making travel plans. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2641
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 2:43 pm: |
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From http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/#poultry
Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?
Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of the disease, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed as usual (following good hygienic practices and proper cooking), with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.
In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny” yolks).
Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products Soap and hot water are sufficient for this purpose.
In areas experiencing outbreaks in poultry, raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be further heat-treated as, for example by cooking or baking.
Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. To date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even when these foods were contaminated with the H5N1 virus. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1243
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 3:59 pm: |
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I ask because a family friend (who is Turkish) was advising me to make a trip to Turkey instead of Thailand b/c of bird flu...it's true that Thailand has had more cases, though that was 2 & 3 years ago, as opposed to Turkey, which has had 12 cases/4 deaths since January of this year...don't think she knew that.
I was blowing it off, as I also have no plans to handle poultry, but was just wondering if it's a consideration for others.
(LilB: I also skipped beef for quite some time when visiting the UK, though I lived there within a timeframe to cause concern for the Red Cross!) |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1410
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 4:11 pm: |
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Yeah, doula, I haven't been able to donate blood for a year, simply because I was in China for a couple of weeks. It used to be so simple - if you didn't pay for sex or use drugs, you could give, now I have to bring my passport with me to give blood to make sure I haven't been somewhere that's restricted in some way... |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3363
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 5:11 pm: |
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My sister's friend's son just did an entire semester in Turkey. He's fine. Just don't pluck chickens or go to a chicken farm.
Of course, my son's about to go for a month and a half to Europe for a spring study semester. I am nervous about it. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1247
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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yes - for sure, no poultry plucking/farm tours.
How wonderful for your son (if not you!), tulip! |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3365
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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Thanks, doulamomma. I am really happy for him, and he's wide-eyed with anticipation and excitement that he's actually bound for Europe by himself, at age 19.
It's a thrill. |
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