In Puerto Rico, after the first case of avian flu was reported, Dr. José Sepúlveda, an internist, stated that people do not need to fear consuming poultry and eggs as long as they are well-cooked. Sepúlveda explained that cooking eggs and meat thoroughly helps prevent diseases. Juan Carlos Rivera, president of the Farmers Association, noted that October is a migration period for many birds, making it normal for such diseases to spread.
Rivera and Sepúlveda agreed that there is no need to fear since most egg and chicken farms have high sanitation standards, reducing the risk of contracting the disease. Ariel José, a farmer, shared his precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. The president of the Farmers Association stated that farm employees and agricultural producers who are in direct contact with birds are at higher risk of contracting avian flu. Dr. Sepúlveda emphasized that avian flu can be treated.