Valuable Safety Tips that Wildgame Hunters and the Public Should Know about Avian Flu
Avian influenza is a sickness of birds that is found mainly in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese. At times, it is possible for this disease to migrate from these wild birds to domestic poultry. There are a large number of types of bird flu. At the moment, there is a type of bird flu called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza type H5N1 that has caused illness in a large number of birds, and some humans as well. Hunters of wild game need to take precautions against the avian flu. If an individual is hunting for waterfowl, there are precautions they can take to keep themselves safe from exposure to the avian flu. For starters, they should only hunt animals that look safe. They should not take animals that are already dead or who appear to be ill. Hunters need to keep their game birds cool, clean and dry at all times. This will help to stop microbial growth. If there is a good amount of air circulation around the bird, it will help it to cool faster. A hunter should never partake in eating, drinking or smoking while they are harvesting their waterfowl. They should also remember to always wear rubber gloves when they are cleaning the waterfowl they catch. Hair, debris and anything else that might pose a threat of illness should always be promptly removed from the bird. Proper hygiene methods should always be practiced. A hunter should always wash their hands with a good soap or disinfectant after they clean their waterfowl. A hunter needs to wash his hands for at least twenty seconds after touching any raw meat. It is very important that cross contamination be prevented, so any tools or surfaces used when cleaning waterfowl need to be properly treated. They should be cleaned right away with very hot, soapy water and disinfected. The disinfectant should consist of a mixture that is half-household chlorine bleach and half water. This is especially true of any tools that were used to cut the spinal cord and head. After the bird is harvested, the body should be washed thoroughly. When a hunter is ready to eat his waterfowl, he needs to make sure it is properly cooked. The bird should reach a temperature of 165 F before being consumed. This will rid the bird of microorganisms that can make you ill. All skin and fat should be removed before it is cooked and if you stuff the bird; it should be thrown away before you eat. It is also important that individuals do not consume more than two waterfowl each month. Game meat should be packaged and frozen right after it is processed. When thawing meat, never leave it at room temperature. This is because room temperature thawing will promote the growth of microorganisms, which could result in food borne illness. The best method for thawing is to place frozen meat on the lowest shelf in the fridge. If there is some bird left over from your meal, it should be places in the fridge as soon as the cooling process has completed to keep the food safe.
Latest News About Bird Flu:
Bird Flu Outbreaks In Bangladesh Require Long-term Strategic Response -Situation Remains Serious, FAO Will Increase Assistance
The bird flu situation in Bangladesh remains serious and the country will have to engage in a long-term strategic campaign against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in order to get the spreading H5N1 virus under control, FAO said today. The first officially announced avian influenza outbreak in Bangladesh occurred in February 2007; since then the virus has spread to eleven out of 64 districts. [click link for full article] FDA Finalizes Guidances For Pandemic And Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued final recommendations to increase the supply of safe and effective influenza vaccines for both seasonal and pandemic use. FDA's goal with the guidances is to outline the regulatory pathways for the rapid development and approval of these products. "FDA continues its commitment to help increase the supply of influenza vaccines and support the development of new approaches to vaccine production," said Jesse L. [click link for full article] HHS Convenes America's Leaders To Help Americans Prepare For Pandemic Flu
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched the Pandemic Flu Leadership Blog, a five-week-long blog about pandemic preparedness. Participant bloggers include some of the nation's most influential business, health care, faith- based and community leaders. This online event is part of a new campaign to help Americans prepare for a potential influenza pandemic and engage U.S. leaders in the challenge to help others prepare. [click link for full article] Public Health Emergencies Require Urgent Advice From The WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a new mechanism, described in this week's PLoS Medicine, for issuing urgent guidelines to health professionals in a public health emergency such as an infectious disease outbreak. The first rapidly issued guideline was developed by the WHO in order to advise countries that were dealing with avian influenza A (H5N1) infection. [click link for full article] Pacific Health Summit Focuses On Pandemic Prevention And Preparedness
Everyone has heard the warnings and the facts are self-evident. Within the next decade, the world could face a deadly pandemic that could easily kill millions, disrupt the normal flow of life worldwide and create economic havoc. The question has shifted from "what if?" to "what can we do?" This year, the third annual meeting of the Pacific Health Summit, June 12-14 in Seattle, focuses on the threat of worldwide pandemics. [click link for full article]
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