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State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson Citizen Information – Bird Flu What is bird flu? This is a disease caused by the influenza family, which affects wild birds and particularly domestic birds. There are two forms of the disease: a mild form, in which there are irregular feathers and decreased egg output, and a severe form, in which birds develop a disease that damages their internal organs and causes an almost 100% death rate in affected birds within two days. Morbidity involving the lethal H5N1 bird flu virus started in 1997 in Southeast Asia, and has recently spread to countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. What is the difference between bird flu and human flu? Three types of bird flu viruses cause disease in humans: A, B and C. The B and C types infect humans only. Each year, there are outbreaks of A and B influenza in humans, which is known as seasonal flu. All subtypes of the influenza virus have one H component and one N component.   “Bird flu” refers to subtypes that appear mainly in birds, whereas “seasonal flu” refers to subtypes of influenza that appear in humans. Bird flu is probably the original source of human flu. Bird flu viruses transformed over time in a manner allowing them to be transmitted effectively from one person to another. How is the bird flu virus transmitted? Affected birds spread the influenza virus in their saliva, oral and nasal discharges and in droppings. Other birds are infected when they contact infected discharges or surfaces. Human infection occurs through a similar route: direct contact with infected birds, their discharges, blood or contaminated objects. It is thought that the main Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson exposure of people with bird flu was during slaughtering, dressing and preparing the birds for cooking and possibly due to eating improperly cooked meat. May bird and egg products be eaten? Yes. Heating above 70°C, which takes a few seconds, kills all influenza viruses. Poultry meat and properly cooked eggs pose no risk. Recommendations concerning countries with documented outbreaks of bird flu include observing the following hygiene rules:  Ensuring that the bird and bird products are cooked to 70°C, with no “pink parts" in the meat. As opposed to heat, cooling or freezing does not kill the virus.   Cooking eggs until the yolk hardens and is not runny. Keeping one’s hands and all food making surfaces and utensils clean to prevent transmission of infections. How to prevent the spread of the disease in Israel      Destruction of all birds in the coop that have been defined by the Ministry of Agriculture as infected. Extermination of additional birds within a radius of 3 km around the affected coop, as instructed by the Ministry of Agriculture. Veterinary examinations and monitoring of birds in a radius of 10 km around the affected coop. Prevention of entry of unprotected persons and workers into the coop in which the disease has been discovered in birds. Close Ministry of Agriculture tracking to locate additional cases of bird flu at an early stage. How long after contact with a bird may illness occur? Usually 2-4 days. Theoretically up to 7 days. Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson What should relatives of bird keepers who have not been in direct contact with any birds do? It must be made sure that they have not come into contact with birds. If they have, they need not do anything as they are not at risk. In any case of question or doubt, the physicians at their closest health bureau may be consulted. What must a coop keeper who feels bad after being exposed to birds in an infected coop do? If he has a temperature of over 38 degrees, he must go to his nearest hospital emergency room for examination and state that he has had contact with infected birds. Safe use of chicken and turkey meat What tests do raw and processed poultry products undergo before marketing? Raw and processed poultry products are under veterinary control at three different points: veterinarian examination on the farm Veterinarian examination when entering the slaughterhouse and veterinarian examination during slaughtering. Plants that process ready to eat poultry products are instructed to receive fresh birds for continuing their processing only from slaughterhouse that are approved by the veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture and from plants with a producer’s license. In addition, the Ministries of Agriculture and Health have ordered companies producing processed poultry products to sell poultry products only after heat treatment at 70 degrees Celsius or higher at the product center. Companies are not allowed to market products that have not undergone this treatment. Where may poultry meat (broiler and turkey) and what must be checked during purchasing? Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson Poultry and turkey meat should be purchased only from reliable chains and stores that have a business license, rather than unregulated sale outlets such as open air markets. You can ask the business proprietor or seller to show the business license. When purchasing fresh or frozen chicken and turkey meat products, you should make sure that the product has an identification label that confirms that the meat has undergone veterinary examination and has been approved for human consumption. The label will have a veterinary control symbol that includes the words “Checked and permitted”, centered by the slaughterhouse number. Is eating poultry meat (broiler and turkey) dangerous? Turkey that has been cooked properly poses no health risk to the consumer. Preparation of chicken and turkey meat by thorough cooking, frying and roasting prevents transmission of disease. The meat color, including in the center, must change from that of rare meat to well done, without pink residues being left. Use of a microwave oven does not ensure the degree of heat required at all points in the food. Bird flu and egg consumption How can one know that eggs purchased in a store are free of bird flu? Eggs arrive for marketing only from healthy laying flocks. An infected flock is exterminated without delay. Sorting and packing stations have a business license and are controlled by the Ministry of Agriculture. In sorting and packing stations, eggs are packed with the name and address of the packing station, and marking to identify the station on each individual egg. Only marked eggs should be purchased. Could infected eggs nonetheless arrive for marketing before the flock is identified and destroyed? This is an unlikely occurrence. Regardless, we recommend cooking, frying, baking and so on, so that the egg is has no liquid components left, and all its parts are Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson hardened, which will ensure that if a bird flu virus was in it, it would be destroyed with certainty. Where can eggs be bought in the case of discovery of bird flu? Eggs should only be bought from regulated, reliable marketing chains and stores with a business license. Stores should be air conditioned and maintain a refrigeration chain. Where must eggs not be bought? Anywhere that does not meet the requirements of the previous question, particularly not outdoor markets and unregulated places without air conditioning and without a refrigeration chain being maintained. How are eggs packed for sale? Eggs must be packed in closed retail cases. Retail cases may be for any number of eggs, such as: 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, as long as the case is closed and has information that includes the name of the marketer, egg size and sell by date that is identical to that printed on the eggs. What is printed on eggs? The following details are printed on all eggs: size (1 large, 4 small), name of marketer or its trademark, sell by date for store, recommended use by date when eggs are kept unrefrigerated at home. Could there be bacteria in an egg? Very rarely, an egg may contain Salmonella bacteria that cause diarrhea or bacteria that cause the egg to spoil. Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson When an egg is bad due to bacteria, which may rarely happen, it is obvious and it is discarded, so it cannot damage food. Things are defacement in the case of Salmonella, which does not cause any change in the odor, color or flavor of an egg, which is therefore not discarded and may be a danger to food. To avoid the possibility, however rare, of eating eggs infected with this bacterium, you should eat only eggs that have been boiled, fried, baked, etc., so that all the egg components are hard, without any liquid residue. An example would be a hard boiled egg, omelet fried on one side or scrambled egg with no liquid left. May mayonnaise be made at home? It is very unadvisable. The danger, in effect, is not of bird flu, because only eggs from healthy flocks reach the market, but the possibility of Salmonella traces. It is advisable to purchase mayonnaise commercially from stores, made from egg yolks that have been factory pasteurized, which prevents any bacteria from being present. A consumer who nonetheless wants to make his or her own mayonnaise should only purchase super-fresh eggs that have the laying date stamped on them and make sure during purchasing that they were laid a maximum of three days before purchasing. Home mayonnaise and mayonnaise purchased in a store and then opened should be kept refrigerated at all times. May eggs be used for making home-made ice cream? This is not advisable either. The danger is not from the bird flu virus but from the salmonella bacterium being in the eggs. It is better to purchase ice cream in a store made of egg components that have been industrially pasteurized, which kills all microbial agents. Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson May I bake cake with eggs? Yes. The baking process destroys all microbial agents, if there are any in the eggs. May I make cream for cakes with eggs? The cream is not heat treated, so it is not advisable. If you are still interested in home made cream, make sure to purchase super-fresh eggs that they were laid a maximum of three days before purchasing. Can I make egg salad out of raw eggs? Hard boiled eggs are free of microbes. When making salad, you should ensure working hygiene, and the chopping board, knife, fork, hands, etc. must be clean. Immediately after making the salad, cover the dish and put it into the refrigerator. Can I make chocolate mousse, tiramisu, etc., at home? These products are not heated when being made, so it is not advisable. Here too, if you are still interested in making products of this type at home, it is advisable to purchase super-fresh eggs whose laying date printed on them is at the most three days before the date of purchase. Bird flu and making food in the home kitchen What must I do in the home kitchen to prevent leaving bacteria and transmitting them from place to place?     Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling food. Make sure to separate work surfaces and utensils when making cooked and uncooked food. Make sure to keep surfaces and utensils clean before and after handling food. Full cooking at a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius will destroy the influenza virus. Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782 State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Office of the Spokesperson Bird flu and animals How can I protect my pets? It is very desirable to keep pets nearby and not allow them to roam freely other than using a leash. Could my private pet (dog, cat, parrot) contract the disease from humans? According to currently available information, the virus cannot be transmitted from a person to an animal. Can animals nearby, such as the neighbor’s dog, animal petting corner at schools, feral cats and stray dogs endanger me? Basically, stray animals do not pose a risk for flu. However, if a stray animal has bitten or scratched you, you should seek an examination to rule out an infection that is unrelated to influenza. Best regards, Dafna Yurista Spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Hamaccabim Road, Rishon le Zion, P.O. Box 30 Beit Dagan, ZIP 50250, Tel. 03-9485436, Fax: 03-9485782