Bird flu is a disease caused by a virus that mostly affects birds. It can sometimes spread to domestic birds like chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Many people worry about eating chicken during a bird flu outbreak. In this article, I will explain what bird flu is, how it spreads, and why properly cooked chicken is safe to eat.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu is an illness caused by a type of virus called avian influenza. This virus normally lives in wild birds but can also infect farm birds. When the virus infects chickens, it can make them very sick. However, the virus does not spread easily from birds to humans. Most people who get bird flu have been in direct contact with sick birds or their droppings.

How the Virus Spreads

The bird flu virus spreads among birds through their droppings and secretions. In places like farms or live bird markets, the virus can move quickly from one bird to another. For people, the risk of getting bird flu from eating chicken is very low. This is because the virus does not live on the meat when it is cooked at the right temperature.

Why Properly Cooked Chicken Is Safe

Health experts, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), say that eating chicken is safe as long as it is cooked well. The key is to cook the chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). At this temperature, the heat kills the bird flu virus and other germs that can make you sick.

When you cook chicken properly, you can enjoy it without worrying about catching bird flu. The virus cannot live in meat that has been heated enough. Therefore, it is safe to eat chicken as part of a healthy diet.

Safe Food Handling Practices

Even if cooked chicken is safe, it is important to handle raw chicken with care to avoid other infections. Here are some steps to follow when handling chicken:

Keep It Cold: When you buy chicken, store it in a refrigerator or on ice until you are ready to cook it.
Use Clean Containers: Keep the chicken in a sealed bag or container to prevent it from contaminating other foods.
Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching raw chicken.
Clean Surfaces: Wash all utensils, cutting boards, and countertops that come into contact with raw chicken. These steps help prevent the spread of germs.

Cooking Chicken the Right Way

Cooking chicken properly is important for your safety. Follow these tips to make sure your chicken is safe to eat:

Use a Food Thermometer: Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a food thermometer. The safe temperature is 165°F (74°C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
Cook All Parts Evenly: Make sure that every part of the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. Turn the chicken during cooking to help it cook evenly.

What the Experts Say

Many health experts agree that properly cooked chicken is safe to eat during a bird flu outbreak. The bird flu virus is very sensitive to heat. When chicken is cooked until it reaches 165°F (74°C), the virus cannot survive. This means that even if the chicken came from a bird that had been exposed to the virus, cooking it well makes it safe.

As stated by Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., M.D., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) in Bethesda, Maryland, on Goodhousekeeping.com, “It’s safe to eat chicken so long as you cook it thoroughly,” he continued. “You should also wash your hands before and after preparing any food and before eating a meal.”

Advice for Consumers

When you shop for chicken, look for trusted brands and stores that follow food safety rules. Many stores have strict checks to ensure that their chicken is safe. If you ever worry about the safety of your food, you can ask questions or look for labels that show the meat has been inspected.

When to Seek Medical Help

Although the risk of getting sick from bird flu through eating chicken is very low, it is important to be cautious. If you feel very sick after eating chicken—if you have a high fever, stomach pain, or vomiting—it is best to see a doctor. These symptoms are not common from eating chicken, but they can happen with other foodborne illnesses. Your doctor will be able to check you and decide if you need further tests or treatment.