Do not Fear Eating Poultry Meat

By Yose Rizal

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan ( Antaranews) - South Kalimantan People are encouraged not to be afraid to consume poultry meat either chicken or duck related to the outbreak of bird flu in the province.

"We urge people not to be afraid to eat poultry meat either chicken or birds because if treated properly then it is safe to consume," said Head of South Kalimantan Animal Husbandry Sabrie Madani in Banjarbaru on Sunday.

The appeal was made following the death of thousands of ducks in four district (Tanah Laut, South Hulu Sungai, Central Hulu Sungai and North Hulu Sungai) and declared the cause of death from bird flu or better known as H5N1 or Avian influenza (AI).

He said, Avian influenza ( AI ) is not transmitted through food or poultry meat, chickens and ducks, so good healthy birds remain safe to eat as long as it is cooked and processed properly.

"Poultry should be cooked to a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius for one minute and eggs to a temperature of 64 degrees Celsius so it is safe to eat, including soft-boiled eggs safe to eat," he said.

Regarding the possibility of transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans, he said, the possibility that it could happen but all avoided transmission factor and cook food, then the transmission can be prevented.

"Hence , factors that could lead to disease transmission from birds to humans should be avoided especially keeping the clean environment, including the rapid handling of infected poultry," he said.

He emphasized, ducks and other birds that tested positive for bird flu should not be consumed and must be depopulated or destroyed by fire and buried carcass.

It is said , depopulation or culling is limited handling to do with the positive poultry bird flu in addition to improving biosecurity through spraying the cage.

"Spraying or disinfecting cages using a special liquid to clean the cage needed to stay awake so free of bird flu virus in addition to maintaining the health of poultry in it," he said.

In addition, traffic control poultry, poultry products and poultry waste are also important things that must be done so that the transmission of a deadly disease for poultry can be prevented.