Posted on 11/12/2005 4:36:24 AM PST by EBH
XINZHAO, CHINA: Farmers buried pigs that died of a mysterious disease in a big pit on March 10, 2004. A large number of pigs in Xinzhao, Hunan Province, died all of a sudden in March 2004, after being infected with an unknown illness. (AFP/Getty Images) High-resolution image (2500 x 1760 px, 300 dpi) Chinese officials revealed that pigs have tested positive for bird flu in Xiangtan County, Hunan Province, where a bird epidemic is raging and one human death, possibly from bird flu, has already occurred, reported Phoenix TV on November 10. Hunan Province Bureau of Agriculture officials tested samples of pig oral secretions to assess the possibility that bird flu was responsible for the death of a 12-year old girl on October 17th. The girl was cremated the same day that she died, and her ill brother is still in quarantine.
The deputy head of the Bureau of Agriculture in Hunan Province, Ou Daiming, said that this was the first time pigs have been tested for the virus in Hunan Province. The results have already been reported to the Ministry of Health, and random pig testing is taking place in nearby villages. So far, officials say they have found no other inflected pigs.
Zoology experts at Hunan Agriculture University say that since pig genes are similar to human genes, and that viruses of many animals can live and mutate in pigs, it becomes dangerous for humans once the virus has been found its way to pigs. Therefore, not only poultry, but pigs too, should be closely monitored in epidemic areas.
See the following Epoch Times articles:
Mystery Surrounds Hunan Girl’s Death; Are Chinese Authorities Covering Up Again?
and
Pathogenic Politics: Is the Bird Flu Already Spreading in Asia?
To the ping list. The girl has been confirmed as another victim of avian flu.
Note to self: Skip the Hunan pork next time we get Chinese take-out.
I guess pigs can fly now......
Mutation to human form is much more likely once it jumps to pigs!
What is the majority doing for Thanksgiving this year? Can we still trust turkeys?
And so it begins
That's what I thought. And this is in China, which has been very poor in reporting the situation again. They just slaughtered 6 million chickens in the 24 hours.
ping
Mutation to human form is much more likely once it jumps to pigs!
think it will the obesity in the US?
tongue in cheek
As a matter of caution, I would avoid Free Range turkeys which might have been exposed to migrating birds.
more than just 3 little pigs, pong
It is important to follow all proper food handling techniques.
Instructions indicate it is still safe to eat avian contaminated birds provided they are cooked appropriately.
At this time there is no indication that the poultry in the United States is contaminated.
What you both said, EBH and Iowa Granny.
Mass produced turkey (or chicken for that matter) is closely monitored for this in the US. What you are going to find in your supermarket counter (Butterball, Tyson, etc) will be perfectly fine as long as proper handling, and proper cooking temperatures are observed.
hillery is in china?
I was not aware eating contaminated birds is safe. I remember reading some early accounts of people who died in Indonesia or Tiland after eating contaminated birds. Do you suppose they slaughtered and dressed the birds themselves? I remember reading on the Surveillence Thread about some of the people afflicted with AF had slaughtered infected birds.
I'd like to track down the information you referenced regarding the preparation of infected birds.
The Most Important point to make right now is There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE OF BIRD FLU in our domestic poultry flocks at this time.
I'm going to purchase my bird this weekend to be on the safe side, but honestly, I've been following this issue since last spring, and I feel secure feeding my family a domestic bird grown indoors. That's what I'll be feeding my Grandchildren (the most prized possession in my life)
We cannot emphasize this enough.
Domestic Poultry is SAFE. But don't leave it thawing on the kitchen counter for a week before cooking it.
The reason I am leary of Free Range birds is because of the possibility of them being infected by the feces of migrating birds which might be infected with AF. That's not to say all migrating birds are carriers, only that the potential is there.
I am in complete agreement with you.
Another place to avoid regarding poultry purchases would be the live markets. I don't know about anywhere else, but I am aware of them in NYC and parts of NJ.
The last outbreak of AF on DelMarVa (2004 in Delaware and Maryland) was traced directly to one in NYC. I don't remember all the exact specifics, but apparently a small time grower, not affiliated with the big boys (Tyson, Perdue, etc) became contaminated while either buying or selling and brought it back to Delaware. Unbeknownst to anyone he obviously had contact with at least one, if not 2, contract growers from the big boys.
Flocks on 3 different farms were destroyed and the industry basically went into total lockdown on the peninsula until the all clear was given.
Any and all concerns regarding the AF in this region (I'm sure it is the same in other poultry regions) is currently primarily that of economics, as opposed to mutation to humans.
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