KUALA LUMPUR: The H5N1 virus in poultry can be "killed" if cooked above 70 degrees Celcius.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya assured the public that consumption of infected chicken is safe, provided that proper method of cooking is used.
According to the World Health Organisation, poultry is safe for consumption if thoroughly cooked at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius because the H5N1 virus is destroyed at that temperature.
"Here in Malaysia we don't eat raw chicken. We would fry it or bring it to a boil before eating it so the issue of it being unsafe doesn't arise.
"If cooked well, you can go to your nearest fast food chain and eat their chicken, no problem," he said today.
While there are no reported cases of the virus infecting humans, Dr Hilmi said the ministry would continue to monitor the situation closely.