“Chicken wings may hold hidden dangers,” the headline warns. If you haven’t heard, influencers like RFK Jr. are promoting the consumption of raw milk, but what about the risk of bird flu? Live markets are a cause for concern, particularly for those who work there or have recently purchased live or freshly slaughtered animals from them. Dr. Morse from Columbia University highlights the 1997 bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong, which originated in poultry markets. Although the virus did not initially spread among humans, 18 residents of Hong Kong were infected and six died. The outbreak was contained by culling over 1.5 million birds in these markets, but the virus eventually spread to poultry and wild birds across Asia, leading to sporadic outbreaks.
Microbiologist Marcy Peteroy-Kelly from Manhattan University’s Kakos School of Arts and Sciences points out that animals in live markets are often kept in crowded conditions, making them more vulnerable to infections like bird flu. Chickens, in particular, have been known to be highly susceptible to the virus. As the Super Bowl approaches, the issue of bird flu and food safety remains a top concern.
