WHO says food safety important for avoiding bird flu infection

    "When poultry products are safely handled and properly cooked, humans are not at risk of acquiring H5N1 infection through food," WHO Director-General Lee Jong-Wook said.

    In a statement on "avian influenza and food safety", Lee Jong-Wook said "although the H5N1 virus is highly infectious among poultry, it is not easily transmissible to humans."

    According to the WHO chief, since December 2003, the H5N1 virus is known to have infected 173 people, of whom 93 have died. Not one of these cases has been linked to the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products.

    Globally, the evidence demonstrates that there is no risk of infection when birds and eggs are well-cooked, as this kills the virus, he said.

    The WHO chief added that the main health risk currently is to people who are in close contact with infected poultry, such as families with backyard flocks and poultry workers in wet markets or live animal markets.

    Heightened surveillance among domestic and wild birds, rapid detection of the virus, and swift implementation of control measures are important in supporting and maintaining consumer confidence in the safety of poultry products, he said.