Breaking news Audio files News features Newsletters Publications Web sites		Avian Influenza Virus MSUcares Home Page Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu”, has been in the news continuously over the last year, and it doesn’t appear to be going away. This has produced concern among consumers regarding the safety of living near poultry farms, working in the industry and even eating chicken and eggs. Avian influenza is currently an animal disease, not a human disease. The avian influenza virus rarely infects humans. When it does, the cause is typically direct contact by humans with infected birds. In other parts of the world, direct contact with live poultry is much more common. In the U.S., it is extremely rare and those who need to handle live poultry receive special training to protect themselves. In the U.S., the majority of our poultry supply comes from vertically integrated companies with enclosed housing, closed marketing systems, and complete control over their products from egg to meat. In contrast, in the majority of the countries experiencing avian influenza, the poultry supply comes from a combination of vertically integrated and small farmer owned flocks or from small farmer owned flocks exclusively. In all but a few of the human cases of avian influenza reported, the source was direct exposure from butchering sick chickens. The general public should NOT be afraid of the commercial poultry supply. Additionally, there have been no diagnosed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in the United States. Food Safety Ordinary safe handling practices will protect consumers from food borne illness and any threat from avian influenza. These practices include washing hands before and after handling raw poultry along with utensils and surfaces that have contacted raw poultry coupled with adequate cooking (minimum internal temperature of 165º F). In addition, food to be consumed raw should be stored and handled so that it does not contact raw poultry. For further information regarding Avian influenza and industry practices, contact one of the Mississippi State University faculty listed below. Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton Department of Poultry Science yvizzier@poultry@msstate.edu (662) 325-9087 Dr. Michael T. Kidd Department of Poultry Science mkidd@poultry.msstate.edu (662) 325-5430 Dr. William “Benjy” Mikel Food Science, Nutrition & Health Promotion WMikel@fsnhp.msstate.edu (662) 325-5508   Other Information The following archived audio files, news features, newsletters and publications were produced by MSU's Extension Service and the Office of Agricultural Communications.   -- top of page -- Audio Better Farming Radio Show (12-19-2005) MSU Poultry Diagnostics Laboratory Director Danny Magee talks about the poultry industry and the threat of the Avian Flu in Mississippi. REAL | MP3 Better Farming Radio Show (03-08-2004) Dr. Tim Cummings, clinical poultry professor with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about what's being done to keep avian flu out of Mississippi poultry flocks. REAL | MP3   -- top of page -- Related News Features Please check back for updates.   -- top of page -- Newsletters Please check back for updates.   -- top of page -- Extension Publications The Respiratory Outbreak in Mississippi Broilers During 1998 - PDF (February 2003) Extension Publication B1127.   -- top of page -- Related Web sites AvianFlu.gov and PandemicFlu.gov One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Mississippi Department of Health Pandemic Flu and Bird Flu (H5N1 Avian Influenza) United States Department of Agriculture Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) U.S. Food & Drug Administration Questions and Answers On Avian Influenza ("Bird Flu") and Food Safety Department of Health and Human Services - Centers for Disease Control Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Safety & Health Administration Guidance for protecting workers against avian flu. Yahoo News Full Coverage: Bird Flu National Chicken Council Avian Influenza Information U.S. Poultry and Egg Association Avian Influenza Information Avian Influenza: Protecting Flocks, Protecting People The Animal and Plant Health inspection Service - U.S.D.A. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza American Meat Institute Avian Influenza U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Avian Flu (Pandemic Flu)
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