With recent news coverage about bird flu outbreaks in poultry farms and rising chicken prices, many people are wondering about their safety when it comes to eating chicken. Can you get bird flu from eating chicken?
No, you cannot get bird flu from eating properly cooked chicken. The avian influenza virus is killed when food is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), which is the recommended safe cooking temperature for poultry.
While this answer might seem straightforward, there are important related concerns about handling raw chicken and understanding how bird flu can actually spread to humans that you’ll want to know about to keep yourself and your family safe.
How Can Bird Flu Spread To Humans?
While eating cooked chicken is safe, bird flu can spread to humans through other means. The most common way people contract bird flu is through close contact with infected live or dead birds. This includes touching infected birds, their droppings, or surfaces contaminated with their secretions. Farmers, veterinarians, and people who work with poultry are at the highest risk.
What Are The Safe Ways To Handle Raw Chicken?
When handling raw chicken, it’s crucial to follow proper food safety practices to prevent not just bird flu, but other foodborne illnesses as well. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching raw chicken. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry, and never wash raw chicken in the sink as this can spread bacteria through water splashes. Clean and sanitize all surfaces that come into contact with raw chicken.
How Do I Know If Chicken Is Cooked Properly To Avoid Bird Flu?
The most reliable way to ensure chicken is safely cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bone, and make sure it reaches 165°F (74°C). Don’t rely on the color of the meat or juices alone, as these can be misleading indicators of doneness. When reheating chicken, it should also reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure any potential harmful bacteria or viruses are killed. Remember to clean your thermometer between uses to prevent cross-contamination.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bird Flu In Humans?
Bird flu symptoms in humans typically appear within 2-8 days of exposure and can range from mild to severe. Initial symptoms often resemble regular flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, bird flu can quickly become more serious, potentially leading to severe respiratory problems, pneumonia, and other life-threatening complications. If you’ve been in close contact with infected birds and develop these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Does Bird Flu Make Chicken And Eggs Safe To Buy?
Yes, commercial chicken and eggs remain safe to buy and consume during bird flu outbreaks. The U.S. food supply is closely monitored, and poultry products from birds infected with avian influenza are not allowed to enter the food supply. When a bird flu outbreak occurs at a commercial facility, the entire flock is humanely eliminated and disposed of properly. Additionally, routine testing occurs throughout the production process to ensure safety. While bird flu outbreaks may affect prices and availability of poultry products, they don’t impact the safety of properly handled and cooked chicken and eggs available in stores.
Taking Action in Your Kitchen
Now that you know proper cooking temperatures are crucial for food safety, invest in a reliable meat thermometer if you don’t already have one. This simple tool is your best defense against not just bird flu, but many other foodborne illnesses that can come from undercooked poultry, and it will help ensure your chicken dishes are both safe and perfectly cooked every time.