It is safe to keep eating poultry following the outbreak of avian flu in Suffolk, consumers were told.
After the potentially deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was found among turkeys in a Bernard Matthews poultry farm, Maria Zambon, from the Health Protection Agency, reassured consumers.
She said that poultry was still safe to eat, as there was no information that avian flu could be contracted from food.
She said: "Bird flu doesn't transmit easily to humans, human disease occurs as a result of direct contact with poultry, in some way handling birds or carcasses. There is no confirmed information whatsoever worldwide about transmission of bird flu through food."
Reg Ruffles, assistant county trading standards officer said: "The message is telling people in general not to panic. If people cook chickens it is perfectly safe to eat."
Emergency measures were put in place to shut down the movement of poultry to minimise the risk of bird flu spreading to other animals and even humans. Strict procedures were triggered after an outbreak of the disease was confirmed at Holton near Halesworth, Suffolk.
Last year, a Europe-wide strategy was agreed as scientists admitted it was inevitable the deadly form of the virus would reach the continent.
In a protection zone, poultry must be kept indoors and movement of poultry is banned, except directly to a slaughterhouse.
Hunting of wild birds is banned and workers and their families are reminded of the symptoms and dangers of the disease. The central protection area must be in place for at least 21 days.
Bird flu has hit commercial poultry in Germany, France and Sweden in the past. Vanloads of turkey workers from the Bernard Matthews site were taken to a medical centre as health experts confirmed staff would be offered protective jabs.
