Avian Flu Not the Only Poultry Disease

INDIA - Bird flu is not the only disease that is caused by uncooked or partially cooked eggs, chickens and meats. Some of these are Salmonella and Campylobacter infection. If proper care is taken then these diseases might be prevented, according to MeriNews.
calendar icon 26 May 2008
clock icon 3 minute read

“If you eat properly cooked meat and eggs, not only bird flu but many other diseases can be prevented. Apart from H5N1 bird flu, other diseases caused by uncooked or partially cooked eggs and chickens are Salmonella and Campylobacter infections,” said Dr KK Aggarwal, president, Heart Care Foundation of India and finance secretary, Indian Medical Association.

Salmonella: It causes typhoid and can cause bloody diarrhoea in humans. The risk of infection is greater in summers than winters, and children, the elderly and immuno-compromised individuals are most at risk for serious complications.

People get infected by eating contaminated foods, usually ground beef, eggs, improperly pasteurised dairy products, undercooked pork, poultry products and broiler chickens. Prevention involves non-consumption of raw eggs or anything containing raw eggs (even cookie dough) and to make sure that meat is thoroughly cooked.

Campylobacter – It is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarroheal illness. Half a per cent of the population is believed to be infected every year. The organism can cause diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), cramping, abdominal pain and fever as well as nausea and vomiting. Infected persons may develop arthritis or Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disease, which can lead to paralysis. Campylobacter tends to strike in single, sporadic cases rather than large outbreaks. Most cases are associated with the handling of raw poultry or eating raw or undercooked poultry meat.

View the MeriNews story by clicking here.
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