Saturday, July 14, 2012

not so peckish


I woke up this morning feeling a bit nauseous.

Well, "a bit" is my way of sparing you details.  Oh, and I had a case of the Big D.  I have not been both-end challenged since my intestinal bout in Mexico City (sounding the cannons).

I mentioned it to my neighbor who immediately had a diagnosis.  Bird flu.  At least it was original.

Or so I thought.  Until I read in The Oregonian this morning that the Mexican government has killed 2.5 million chickens in Jalisco as the result of an outbreak of H7N3 avian influenza.

According to the news story, the outbreak was first deteced on 20 June, and the government declared a national anumal health emergency on 2 July.  Vaccine (for the birds) was imported from Pakistan and another 80 million doses (to be put in chicken feed) is being produced locally.

The news caught my attention because I am a frequent chicken user -- both flesh and eggs.  And I come in contact with chickens almost every day -- in the street.  So, I did a bit of research.

The bottom line is that there is probably little to worry about.

The most immediate impact has been an increase in the price of eggs.  Most of the executed birds were layers.  No layers; no eggs.  Lowered supply; increased prices.  Basic economics.

Because eggs are a staple and the price spike was almost a 100% increase, Mexico lowered its restrictions on egg imports from China, Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine.  Once the supply is restored, the government has authority to fine vendors if they do not lower prices to the pre-slaughter price.

The diseased chickens were in the municipalities of Acatic and Tepatitlan -- the heart of Mexican egg country.  And far off in the highlands.  A nice piece of real estate away from Melaque

The best news is the eggs I have eaten recently should not be a problem.  Even if they came from the affected area.  The flu is not transmitted to eggs.

But I have a portion of a chicken carcass (the Mae West cut) in the freezer.  Discretion tells me to give it the Jimmy Hoffa treatment.  Besides, I am not really in the mood for eating anything solid right now.

So, here is the "probably" part.  Only rarely is this type of avian influenza transmitted from birds to humans.  It is the "rarely" that is a bit disconcerting.  There have been limited instances where poultry workers have contracted the flu and then spread it to others.

But there is no evidence that the rarity occurred in Jalisco.  Probably because the ill birds were discovered early in the epidemic and were just as quickly dispatched.

I must admit I am surprised that American newspapers did not led with this story three weeks ago.  "Bird flu kills 2 million in Mexico" would not have surprised me.  Never mind that it was 2 million chickens.

As for me, I am heading back to bed.  A nice warm cup of chicken broth would seem to be the poetic justice the day requires.


21 comments:

John Calypso said...

We have been following the chicken disease issue - and of course our eggs have gone up by 50% (not unusual many the8ng seem to affect the price of eggs. As  you suggest this is probably NOT your problem  - Get well soon in any case!

Steve Cotton said...

I am surprised I have not heard anything about it.  Usually a budge in the price of anything in Melaque causes the local message board to light up.

Thanks for your good wishes.  I am sipping water slowly at the moment.  And, yes, it is sitting next to the computer.  I am going to blame fever-induced hallucinations.

Andean said...

Dehydration is always a concern. I have heard nothing of the chicken disease issue...wow.
If it's not that, maybe the cherries or something else recently ingested, maybe even in PV....
You were at the doc recently, maybe a recheck is in order.....

Steve Cotton said...

No doctor required.  I am keeping liquids down.

I made a rather exotic salsa last night that may have been just a little too much for my stomach.  It was certainly in the correct time frame.  The cherries would have been the obvious culprit from one end.  But certainly not the other.  

PVcolin said...

Something from PV! Impossible! ;-)

Bing said...

That's what you get for eating six pounds of cherries in one day!

Steve Cotton said...

Since you asked, the "autopsy" indicated the presence of no cherries.  But lots of salsa and a chicken sandwich.

Aren't you glad you asked?

Steve Cotton said...

I now know I shouldn't have bought a plate of corn for the chicken in the hotel bar.

Andean said...

that is so gross...lol

Babsofsanmiguel said...

TMI

loulou bateau said...

Steve - you ate some of the cherries in the car on the way home .... without washing them. I have a friend who got hepatitis A that way.

Steve Cotton said...

Well, I guess I could always be optimistic that it is something that will lead to lots of posts.

Doesn't anyone want to discuss economics or epidemiology?

Steve Cotton said...

Is there ever too much information on ANY topic?

DonCuevas said...

Maybe it was TMC: Too Many Cherries.

Saludos, Don Cuevas 

Kim G said...

Pakistani vaccines?!?  That sounds scary.

I'm glad I'm not a Mexican chicken.

Get well soon.

Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we live in fear of 'Henrietta's Revenge.'

Steve Cotton said...

If I had to be a chicken, being a Mexican chicken would have its advantages.

Interrogatoria Integra said...

Nice having that image of your Vesuvian alimentary canal exploding at both portals.  Do you realize how major a factor your alimentary activities are in your life?  You're positively 19th century British in that respect.  I would not be surprised to read a blog in which you describe surgery to remove tens of yards of intestinal naughty bits from your gut.

I seriously doubt you have avian flu H1/N1 or Z15/P235.  What I do suspect, however, is a piece of missing information.  To wit:  the entire lemon custard pie you ate just before retiring last night, or the 2 pounds of grapes and 2 quarts of diet drink you consumed at dinner.

Tell me:  What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say the words "bloated" and "tired"?

Cineguy said...

Sounds like the doctor is in! :)

Steve Cotton said...

 It was a banana cream pie -- lo, those many years ago.  And I would now promise to vote socialist in a Mexican election for almost any type of pie.  Come to think of it, that would be just about the going rate for a PRI vote.

Steve Cotton said...

Indeed, he is.

Bing said...

That was funny.  I literally can't stop laughing.