There is no evidence that anyone has been infected with bird flu by eating properly cooked eggs or other poultry products from infected birds.  Eating properly handled and cooked poultry is safe because proper cooking kills H5N1 just as it does many other disease organisms and parasites.  When cooking poultry you should always: 

• Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food;

• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other foods;

• After cutting raw meats, wash cutting boards, knives, and countertops with hot, soapy water;

• Sanitize cutting boards with a bleach water solution;

• Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the safe internal temperature in all parts of the birds;

• Cook poultry to at least 165°F to kill foodborne germs that might be present.

Remember, there is currently no H5N1 virus in the United States.

Back to Pandemic Flu Home