- Health Canada insisted Tuesday the bird flu outbreak
in B.C. chickens doesn't pose a health risk to the general public eating
meat and eggs from infected farms.
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- Consumers buying chicken and eggs off grocery store shelves
have little, if any, possibility of contracting the avian flu, said Health
Canada spokeswoman Aggie Adamczyk.
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- "The only people infected so far have had direct
and prolonged exposure to poultry in B.C.," Adamczyk said. "And
the (type of flu) that's been identified in Canada is a mild human illness."
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- The strain of flu found in B.C. is different than the
one that's killed dozens of people in China and Asia earlier this year,
she said.
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- For preventative measures, Adamczyk warned consumers
to cook chicken above 70 C, and wash their hands and all surface areas
in contact with the meat. Eggs don't pose a major risk, she said.
-
- Human symptoms of the avian flu include pink eye, headaches
and respiratory problems, including a cough, Adamczyk said.
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- She said a total of 12 people -- all in direct contact
with the infected farms -- have become sick since the outbreak, including
five people who have fully recovered and seven new cases.
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- Consumers could very well be inflicted with some added
financial pain, however. Chicken and egg prices could jump at the grocery
store if supply demands aren't immediately met, said Stephanie Jones with
the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
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- "We are experiencing some price increases, but it's
too early to know the overall impact on consumers," Jones said. "It
all depends on supply and we're looking to ensure customer requirements
are met."
-
- She said the restaurant and food services sector buys
40 per cent of Canadian chickens, so any long-term supply shortages could
be felt in restaurant prices.
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- Jones, along with industry and federal government leaders,
are in Ottawa to determine whether the regulated supply of chickens should
be ramped up to stabilize the market.
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- Lisa Bishop, spokeswoman for the Chicken Farmers of Canada,
said she hasn't seen any changes in prices, nor does she expect one in
the immediate future.
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- "We don't have any indication of a price increase
and in the short term we're not expecting one," Bishop said. "Every
province produces an awful lot of chickens to meet its own demands."
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- Bishop said any possible supply problems -- and subsequent
price increases -- likely wouldn't be seen for eight to 10 weeks because
75 per cent of the 19 million birds to be slaughtered are healthy and will
still go to market.
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- In total, about 10 to 12 per cent of all Canadian chickens
come from the flu-stricken Fraser Valley, she said.
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- jfekete@theherald.canwest.com
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- © The Calgary Herald 2004 http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/story.
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