Shud we b concernd about infected chikens?

[hopeful]

im a bit worried about the bird flu .i wonder if i shud go kwik to the meat shop and stock up on chikens,i dont like meat much dont mind mince tho,i best stop eating chiken and chips 2 and also wot about eggs they cud be effected too dont wanna worry u guys but :torture:

[Te'oma]

The danger is not so much from the chickens but being in contact with them. So far it has only been people that are in close contact with living birds that have gotten sick(that's to the best of my knowledge. If anyone else has heard different feel free to correct me)
The disease does not transmit from human to human yet and that is the danger...when it does reach that stage. If the virus mutates and becomes transmissable from person to person then it could be a pandemic. Eating chicken won't make you sick unless you are eating raw chicken maybe

[hugofuchs]

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2005/dec/avianflu

Proper cooking will destroy any virus present in meat or eggs


http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/colds_and_flu/bird_flu.html

Should I Stop Eating Chicken and Turkey?
It's safe to eat properly cooked chicken, turkey, and any other poultry in the United States. Heat can destroy flu viruses, so cook poultry so that the temperature of the meat reaches at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). Do not eat uncooked or undercooked poultry or poultry products.

Honestly, with the amount of things that meat can contract, thoroughly cooking it is a must regardless of whether the bird-flu is about or not.

In regards to the pandemic aspect, you might want to look at the similarities to the 1918 pandemic.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,171329,00.html

They have a vaccine against the current human-infective strain, but the vaccines are 2-part, 4 weeks apart. If the virus mutates too far, then it will take 6 months to make the vaccine against the mutant strain. On the other hand, the Nuegene antiviral drug by AVI BioPharma Inc. looks promising.

Other avian flu strains infected alot more, but were not life threatening. Such as the Dutch bird flu. On the other hand, should this avian flu, mix with or mutate to a highly contagious flue as the Dutch flu, then pandemic is probable.

Pigs have been found infected in Hong Kong and Java. They have long been suspected of the avian to mammal crossover to a human contagion variant.

The good news, if it can be taken as such, is that with a 25-50% drop in the world populace, after the initial outbreaks of famine and other pestilence, the economies of most places will strengthen and perhaps keep countries inside their own borders instead of looking to cause trouble outside of them. Note that estimates for losses are significantly less than that.

Better news is that women's veils if kept close to the face, will probably reduce exposure. Expect men to begin covering their faces again.

[wazza]

salaam

every since the bird flu has come out i always make sure the chicken/food is at least cooked fully if not overcooked. for those who are uncertain you can buy a temperature probe and stick it into the cooked chicked to make sure its cooked/hot inside

those living in the uk will remember this when edwina curry, MP, recommended we should not eat eggs. how the chicken industry became decimated. edwina curry? well she had to step down with egg on her face pardon the pun :D