I woke up this morning feeling a bit nauseous.
Well, "a bit" is my way of sparing you details. Oh, and I had a case of the Big D. I have not been both-end challenged since my intestinal bout in Mexico City (sounding the cannons).
I mentioned it to my neighbor who immediately had a diagnosis. Bird flu. At least it was original.
Or so I thought. Until I read in The Oregonian this morning that the Mexican government has killed 2.5 million chickens in Jalisco as the result of an outbreak of H7N3 avian influenza.
According to the news story, the outbreak was first deteced on 20 June, and the government declared a national anumal health emergency on 2 July. Vaccine (for the birds) was imported from Pakistan and another 80 million doses (to be put in chicken feed) is being produced locally.
The news caught my attention because I am a frequent chicken user -- both flesh and eggs. And I come in contact with chickens almost every day -- in the street. So, I did a bit of research.
The bottom line is that there is probably little to worry about.
The most immediate impact has been an increase in the price of eggs. Most of the executed birds were layers. No layers; no eggs. Lowered supply; increased prices. Basic economics.
Because eggs are a staple and the price spike was almost a 100% increase, Mexico lowered its restrictions on egg imports from China, Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine. Once the supply is restored, the government has authority to fine vendors if they do not lower prices to the pre-slaughter price.
The diseased chickens were in the municipalities of Acatic and Tepatitlan -- the heart of Mexican egg country. And far off in the highlands. A nice piece of real estate away from Melaque
The best news is the eggs I have eaten recently should not be a problem. Even if they came from the affected area. The flu is not transmitted to eggs.
But I have a portion of a chicken carcass (the Mae West cut) in the freezer. Discretion tells me to give it the Jimmy Hoffa treatment. Besides, I am not really in the mood for eating anything solid right now.
So, here is the "probably" part. Only rarely is this type of avian influenza transmitted from birds to humans. It is the "rarely" that is a bit disconcerting. There have been limited instances where poultry workers have contracted the flu and then spread it to others.
But there is no evidence that the rarity occurred in Jalisco. Probably because the ill birds were discovered early in the epidemic and were just as quickly dispatched.
I must admit I am surprised that American newspapers did not led with this story three weeks ago. "Bird flu kills 2 million in Mexico" would not have surprised me. Never mind that it was 2 million chickens.
As for me, I am heading back to bed. A nice warm cup of chicken broth would seem to be the poetic justice the day requires.
The best news is the eggs I have eaten recently should not be a problem. Even if they came from the affected area. The flu is not transmitted to eggs.
But I have a portion of a chicken carcass (the Mae West cut) in the freezer. Discretion tells me to give it the Jimmy Hoffa treatment. Besides, I am not really in the mood for eating anything solid right now.
So, here is the "probably" part. Only rarely is this type of avian influenza transmitted from birds to humans. It is the "rarely" that is a bit disconcerting. There have been limited instances where poultry workers have contracted the flu and then spread it to others.
But there is no evidence that the rarity occurred in Jalisco. Probably because the ill birds were discovered early in the epidemic and were just as quickly dispatched.
I must admit I am surprised that American newspapers did not led with this story three weeks ago. "Bird flu kills 2 million in Mexico" would not have surprised me. Never mind that it was 2 million chickens.
As for me, I am heading back to bed. A nice warm cup of chicken broth would seem to be the poetic justice the day requires.
