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Eating raw or undercooked chicken can lead to complete body paralysis or Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Chicken is among the most widely consumed proteins across the world. While it is considered a healthy source of lean protein due to being lower in fat than other meats, it is important to cook it properly.
According to Dr. Pal Manickam, a renowned gastroenterologist, eating raw or undercooked chicken can lead to complete body paralysis or Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that has affected more than 190 people and killed seven in Maharashtra’s Pune. “Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria found in the intestines of chick and other poultry responsible,” Dr. Pal said on Instagram. “If your meat or chicken is not cooked at 74 degrees Celsius, the bacteria will survive. So, when you cut raw juices from the meat, it can contaminate the knives, cutting board, and even the vegetables,” he added.
What pathogens are found in raw/undercooked chicken?
Consumer Reports says around two-thirds of chickens contain either Salmonella, Campylobacter, or both. Salmonella bacteria live in the guts of many farm animals, especially chickens. It causes an infection of the intestinal tract in humans, which causes food poisoning, typhoid, enteric fever, gastroenteritis, and many other illnesses.
Chicken meat also becomes infected with Campylobacter when it comes into contact with animal feces. The most common symptom of Campylobacter infection is bloody diarrhoea.
Gullain-Barre Syndrome due to undercooked chicken
According to experts, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare complication of Campylobacter infection that occurs when the antibodies that are built in your body start fighting Campylobacter attacks on the nerve cells. Statistics say around one in 1,000 reported cases of Campylobacter infection result in GBS.
GBS manifests as a temporary paralysis that begins in the feet and moves upward. In severe cases, GBS can cause almost complete paralysis. Many people affected with GBS are also put on a ventilator and paralysis begins to set in several weeks after the diarrhoeal infection. Most people do recover from the disorder, though some weakness remains.
Ways to handle chicken safely
A few important steps to take to prevent infection caused by eating raw chicken include:
- Make sure to wrap packaged raw chicken in an additional plastic bag before refrigerating to prevent the juices from contaminating other items
- Always wash your hands after touching raw chicken
- Use a designated board only for cutting raw chicken
- Make sure to wash utensils, dishes, cutting boards, and countertops thoroughly with soap and hot water after chopping raw chicken
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
- Move leftover chicken to the refrigerator or freezer within one hour
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