Being new to online PBL discussions and the whole new ‘FOOD SAFETY’ module, various questions need to be answered before any progress to the project can be made.

Questions for the day:

1. What does the term ‘Food Safety’ refers to?

Based on Wikipedia, it means the handling, preparation and storage of food that prevents foodborne illnesses from occurring.

2. So, what are ‘Foodborne Illnesses’?

They are caused by the ingestion of contaminated food. Culprits are often microbial, physical or chemical contaminants.

3. According to the given problem statement, what is Avian Influenza?

Avian Influenza; AI, is infection caused by AI viruses, which are extremely contagious among birds.
AI is categorized into 2 different categories; Low Path AI (LPAI) and High Path AI (HPAI).
LPAI: These often go undetected as it only causes mild symptoms, i.e. lesser eggs, dropping of feathers, among the birds.
HPAI: These viruses, however, spreads like wildfire among the flocks of poultry, causing their internal organs to defect within 48hours, resulting in death.
Unfortunately, the deadly virus H5N1, which broke out in some parts of the world, categorized under HPAI.

4. How does Avian Influenza spread?

AI spreads through both direct and indirect methods.
Direct Methods:
Nasal, fecal and saliva secretions from infected birds carry AI virus that causes infection upon contact.
Indirect Methods:
Equipment and surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions of the infected birds; e.g. infected water and feed, cages and dirt.

AI can also be found on the surface of eggs; which increases the possibility of affecting the eggs; yolks, whites and albumen.

5. Will humans get infected?

Transmissions of AI virus from domestic birds to humans are reported rare, because these viruses do not usually affect humans.
However, reported cases have shown that humans can be infected due to extensive exposure to affected poultry and contaminated surfaces from their secretions.


6. Based on recipe given, eggs are used. Will these eggs be ‘unclean’ for consumption?

AI will not be spread through food consumption if they are cooked properly; e.g. high heat treatment, clean preparation area, etc.
Moreover, the first symptom reflected by HPAI H5N1 birds is to stop producing eggs. And even if laid, the structures of these eggs are too weak/fragile to tolerate the grading and washing process.
And, production of eggs will be stopped when SUSPECTED of an HPAI outbreak within the farm. (Suspected means without confirmation)
Thus, these eggs in the markets are unlikely to be contaminated.