What precautions should I take if I live or visit in an area affected by H5N1 bird flu?

Answer:

• Avoid contact with live birds, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, and their feces, feathers, and pens if at all possible. Children, in particular, should be warned and precautions enforced.

• Pet birds should not be kept.
• If preparing poultry, cook it well done before eating.
• Avoid cross contamination of other foods by use of separate kitchen utensils and surfaces exposed to raw poultry.
• Wash hands with soap and water after any poultry contact.
• Be sure, if possible, that poultry does not live near your housing area.
• Do not transport live or dead poultry even if it appears to be healthy.
• Avoid poultry products from areas of infected birds.
• If you must travel to infected areas and work directly with infected birds, poultry or humans, hand washing and shoe and clothing cleaning should be an immediate priority.
• Be sure to wear gloves, a special N-95 mask, goggles, and a disposable gown if you must be in contact with the birds/poultry in enclosed environments where aerosolization of the small virus particles may occur.
• Observe yourself for the development of any respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms after the visit and check your temperature for a week afterwards, and contact a physician if you have any questions.

Related Travel Questions

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• Will you evacuate U.S. citizens in a foreign country in the event of a pandemic?
• What are the travel recommendations regarding the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia, Africa, and Europe?
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Last Updated: 03/21/2007