Consumers can continue to eat chicken meat despite the confirmed outbreak of bird flu in Suriname. According to experts, chicken meat that is properly prepared poses no danger to consumers. However, people are strongly advised not to taste raw or insufficiently heated chicken meat while cooking.
In Suriname, an infection with Influenza A H5 has officially been confirmed for the first time at a broiler farm. Between 5,000 and 6,000 chickens have died at the affected farm. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) has taken measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
Veterinarian Edmund Rozenblad, adviser to the Minister of LVV, emphasises that consumers should above all ensure chicken meat is properly prepared. According to him, the main problem lies with infections within poultry farming and not with eating properly prepared meat.
Chicken meat bought in shops can, according to the expert, be safely consumed when it is fully boiled or fried.
Do not taste raw chicken
Special attention is being requested for the way chicken is prepared at home. Rozenblad warns, among other things, against the habit of tasting raw, marinated or pickled chicken meat during preparation to check whether sufficient salt or herbs have been added.
This is precisely what should be avoided. Chicken must be fully heated before it is eaten.
Good hygiene also remains important during preparation. Consumers are advised to keep raw chicken meat separate from already prepared food and to thoroughly clean kitchen equipment that has come into contact with raw chicken.
No human infections confirmed
Laboratory testing of persons who may have been exposed to the virus at the affected poultry farm has so far found no human infections. According to the authorities, all samples tested negative.
For now, the outbreak appears to be limited to one poultry farm. Poultry that had been transported from the affected farm to Wanica and Commewijne and could be traced was located and culled by the authorities.
In addition, a suspected case at a duck farm in Saramacca is being further investigated.
Additional monitoring of poultry sector
LVV, together with, among others, the Nationaal Coördinatiecentrum voor Rampenbeheersing (National Disaster Management Coordination Centre), has taken measures to prevent further spread. Special attention is being given to tracing possible infections, disinfecting poultry farms, biosecurity and protecting employees who come into contact with potentially infected animals.
Minister Mike Noersalim has stressed that the national food supply is not directly endangered by the current situation. For consumers, the main message therefore remains: chicken meat can be eaten, but make sure it is fully cooked and never taste raw or undercooked chicken during preparation.
