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| Avian bird flu (H5N1)
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Update on avian bird flu in New South Wales
Last updated: 5 April 2007
The NSW Food Authority has been closely monitoring the spread of bird flu internationally and its implications for Australian and NSW consumers.
It is important to note that while there's no evidence the bird flu virus (H5N1) has established a foot hold in Australia, the NSW Food Authority is continuing to work closely with State and Federal Government agencies to make sure NSW is ready in case it arrives here.
About Avian Bird Flu virus
People catch the virus via close contact with live poultry infected with the disease, and not through eating poultry. This is because the bird flu virus is spread to humans by breathing air contaminated with feathers and faeces from infected birds.
Very few humans have actually caught flu from infected birds in Asia – potentially millions of people there have been exposed to infected birds but so far less than 200 human cases have been reported.
The major concern is the bird flu virus will mutate by combining with a human flu virus to create a new strain, against which people have no natural defence. This human strain of the virus could then spread from person-to-person and cause a pandemic without further involvement of birds.
Food safety
If avian influenza is detected in Australia, the chance of affected poultry products entering the food chain would be very low. Nevertheless it is prudent for consumers to take normal food safety precautions in the kitchen. The Food Authority always recommends consumers follow some simple food safety tips to minimise the risk of food-borne illness.
The latest scientific evidence shows the virus responsible for bird flu is killed through careful cooking (the virus responsible for bird flu is destroyed at temperatures above 70C) and its spread is limited by sensible handling - fortunately these are the same commonsense techniques used to destroy many common food-borne pathogens.
The following are some helpful tips to reduce the risk of food borne illness from poultry and poultry products:
Cook food properly:
- Make sure you thoroughly cook all poultry. A meat thermometer takes out the guess work and makes sure you have the right temperature.
- Avoid consuming raw eggs or lightly cooked egg products.
Avoid cross contamination:
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw poultry (and meat).
- Wearing gloves provides additional safety.
- Store raw poultry (and meat) at the bottom of the fridge so it can't drip onto other foods.
- Always clean worktops, chopping boards, dishes and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw poultry (and meat).
- Use a separate chopping board for raw poultry and meat.
If you require any further information, please contact the Authority on 1300 552 406.
Latest advice from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
The NSW Government department responsible for the local live poultry industry has issued a statement on preparations should bird flu strike in Australia, including key facts about the risk to humans from live birds:
- "Primefact 111 - Avian influenza (bird flu): poultry and bird facts" (August 2006) PDF 85KB
- Avian Bird Flu - questions and answers (16 November 2006)
Latest advice from other Australian government departments
Further details on how Australia is preparing to deal with the threat of Bird Flu can be found at the following sites:
- Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) bird flu information
- Australian Department of Health - Avian influenza - key facts
- NSW Department of Health - Avian influenza information
Latest advice from World Health Organisation (WHO)
The International Food Safety Authorities Network of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an information note which includes advice about food safety, handling and consumption of poultry products:
- Avian influenza – Food safety issues pages (includes links to latest International Food Safety Authorities’ Network, INFOSAN, documents including INFOSAN Note 4/2006 )
Other International sources
- Food Standards Agency, UK - Avian influenza information
- European Food Standards Agency - Avian influenza information
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