Is it safe to eat eggs again in South Africa?

Early last month, we reported that South Africa is in the midst of its worst avian flu outbreak. The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) reported that affected farms have been placed under quarantine and sources are reporting that the number of cases of avian flu has declined this month. SAPA also has more good news to share: even during a breakout of avian flu, it is still safe to eat eggs and poultry. Properly cooked eggs (and chicken too) do not pose a risk of infecting humans with the avian flu. This is because heat effectively destroys this virus. Of course, eating raw eggs may put you at risk of food-borne illness. This is why it is important to always cook your eggs properly before eating. Cooking can even improve the absorption of some nutrients in the egg, like protein, which is important for immunity and muscle building. You can also rest assured that any eggs and poultry that you find at your local grocery store are safe to eat because there are many strict ...