#17,530
Yesterday, in Poland: Concerns Over The Possibility Of H5N1 In The Food Chain, we looked at the possibility (unproven, as yet) that H5N1 has entered the food chain and that it may have infected some of the `indoor' cats recently sickened or killed by H5N1 across Poland.
Some media have represented this hypothesis as established fact, which has been refuted by the Polish National Poultry Council, and criticized as `premature' by leading scientists.
The economic stakes here are enormous, as the poultry production in Poland is a multi-billion dollar industry, with 20% of their earnings coming from exports (mainly to EU nations). The government, and poultry industry, are understandably quick to react to any suggestion their products are unsafe.
While the jury is still out on whether H5N1 has actually entered the food chain, today Poland's Ministry of Agriculture held a press conference where they vigorously defended the safety of their poultry (excepts below).
So far, the following statement only appears on the Polish language version of the MOA website. The following is a machine translation. I'll have more after the break.
Polish poultry is safe
05.07.2023
– There is no risk to consumers. Polish poultry is safe - stressed today Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra.
Conference participants pointed out that there is no risk to consumers. They emphasized that meat, especially poultry, is not eaten raw, and heat-treated is even safer.
Dangerous theses in a press article
Today, the Ministry of Agriculture held a special press conference devoted to H5N1 virus infections in cats, which was also attended by the chief veterinarian Paweł Niemczuk, director of the National Veterinary Institute - National Research Institute in Puławy, professor Stanisław Winiarczyk and the president of the Polish Meat Association Witold Choiński.
– The information given in the press article that the bird flu virus is found in raw poultry meat is absolutely unproven. No research confirms this. These are overinterpretations and manipulations made by the editors of Gazeta Wyborcza, the deputy minister firmly stated.
The undersecretary of state pointed out that the publication of the article hits the Polish poultry sector, which is the best in Europe. This is evidenced, among others, by the value of exports in the amount of EUR 3.2 billion.
– It is therefore not surprising that in various ways attempts are being made to undermine trust in this very important sector of our economy. This awakens our strong reactions and we will fight for the good name of our farmers, who make every effort to ensure that the quality of food is at the highest level. And that's who she is, said the deputy minister.
Statement by Professor Krzysztof Pyrć
Professor Krzysztof Pyrć from the Virology Laboratory at the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology, whose research the authors of the article referred to, sent a statement.
– A press material has been published which suggests that the results of research conducted by our scientific teams have shown that cats have been infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus in recent weeks through contaminated meat from Polish poultry. This is not true. We didn't prove it,' emphasized the professor.
PIWET position
Director of the National Veterinary Institute - National Research Institute in Puławy, Professor Stanisław Winiarczyk pointed out that only this institution, as the only one in Poland, has the status of a reference laboratory, accredited by the European laboratory in Padua. He also noted that none of the owners of a cat infected with the H5N1 virus became ill.
- Out of a thousand known cases of H5N1 virus in humans in the world, not a single case came from a cat - emphasized the professor.
GVI position
Chief veterinarian Paweł Niemczuk emphasized that only healthy meat can be placed on the market. He reminded that each time the meat is inspected before and after the slaughter.
The position of the Polish Meat Association
The president of the Polish Meat Association, Witold Choiński, appealed to media representatives for greater responsibility for their words. He pointed out that the Polish poultry sector occupies a very high position in Europe and in the world. Poland is the first poultry producer in Europe and the fourth in the world.
– This is the result of the hard work of the entire sector and it cannot be wasted – added President Choiński.
A lot of this is obvious damage control, and while some of their assurances are pretty thin, the point remains that HPAI H5 has not yet been proven to have spread via the food chain in Poland.
Whether it has happened again remains to be seen. But regardless, the spillover of H5N1 to cats in Poland should be a wake up call.
H5N1 marches on.
