Korean Medical Association's Standpoint regarding Prevalence of Avian Influenza

As a professional body responsible for the national health, the Korean Medical Association states its position regarding the prevalence of avian influenza as follows.

Since the end of last year, the avian influenza has been prevalent largely in Asia countries, including Korea. In view of this widespread threat to public health, it is very important to provide correct scientific information about avian influenza, in order to avoid unnecessary fears or state of panic.

In spite of the prevalence of avian influenza in connection with poultry farming at the end of last year, there has been no case of human infection in Korea because of a prompt response and effective anti-epidemic measures, which have resulted in a measure of reassurance. We believe that this successful result was made possible not only by the efforts of relevant authorities, health officials, and experts in this field, but also by the cooperation and sacrifice of farmers.

However, because of the prevalence of the avian influenza, the consumption of poultry, such as chicken and duck, has diminished and now it is having a bad effect in the industry. In other words, it is caused by this unnecessary misunderstanding about the possibility of infection by avian influenza.

The KMA confirms that the poultry in the domestic market is hygienically controlled during the slaughtering, processing and packing processes. Since the avian influenza cannot survive during those processes, the products are absolutely safe. Moreover the avian influenza is completely destroyed at the temperatures over 75 degrees centigrade. Consequently the food made with chicken and duck cooked at the restaurants or at home offers no danger because of avian influenza.