Cooked poultry safe from bird flu risk – WHO
The Star, 28 Feb 2006

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that cooked poultry does not transmit bird flu in a bid to calm mounting consumer fears as the virus spreads. 

"The WHO confirms that when poultry products are safely handled and properly cooked, humans are not at risk of acquiring H5N1 (bird flu) infection through food," the United Nations agency said in a statement. 

European countries where the virus has been detected have reported big drops in consumption of chicken and other poultry products, and France, Europe's largest producer, is facing curbs to its exports. 

It noted that since December 2003, when the virus reappeared, 173 people have been infected, of whom 93 have died. But none of these cases has been linked to the consuming of properly cooked poultry. 

Some 20 countries, including Morocco, Egypt, Thailand and South Korea, representing 5 percent of French foreign poultry sales, have imposed restrictions after the deadly disease was found in a turkey farm in the east of the country. 

"Globally, the evidence demonstrates that there is no risk of infection when birds and eggs are well cooked, as this kills the virus," the WHO said, adding that poultry products were important sources of protein.