Prevention and control of avian flu
What measures are being/will be implemented to screen travellers, students and business people arriving from overseas areas of concern for Avian Flu? There have been media reports of screening occurring at airports.
Bird and poultry products including eggs, egg products, chicken and duck meat, and objects contaminated with faeces from infected animals can carry diseases such as avian influenza. These products are not now permitted into many countries. Quarantine officers at airports and seaports are also on permanent alert for poultry products and all international mail is being screened.
Could a traveller, a student or business person become infected with the virus and bring it into another country?
This is very unlikely. At this time the virus has not been shown to spread easily or rapidly among humans. As at May 2006, there have been 218 cases of this disease recorded throughout the world. Travellers who become sick or feel unwell with respiratory or flu-like symptoms on their return should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their doctor, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living abroad, and where they have been.
I am travelling to Asia. What should I do to protect myself from avian influenza?
Although the risk of infection to travellers to areas affected by avian influenza is currently considered low, people travelling to areas affected by avian influenza can reduce their risk of infection by avoiding situations where they may have contact with farms and live bird markets, and ensuring all uncooked poultry and eggs are handled hygienically with careful attention to hand washing after handling. Proper cooking destroys the virus in poultry and eggs.
How is avian influenza spread to humans?
People need to have close contact with infected birds or poultry manure to get avian influenza. The virus is found in bird faeces and respiratory secretions. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus at this time.
Is it safe to eat cooked chicken meat?
Yes. Chicken meat should be cooked properly. If the virus was present in chicken meat it would be killed in the cooking process. All uncooked chicken meat, including frozen meat should always be handled hygienically. Wash hands and surfaces after contact with raw meat and separate raw meat from other raw foods.
Is it safe to eat eggs?
Yes. Egg shells may have been contaminated with bird faeces. All eggs should be washed before sale but it is prudent to apply careful hygiene when handling an egg such as: washing the outside of eggs or washing hands after handling an egg. Eggs should not be separated into yolk and white by bare hands. Proper cooking of eggs is recommended. Particular care needs to be taken with foods that contain eggs that are not cooked such as mayonnaise and mousse.
How can the flu virus be killed?
Heat over 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes will kill the virus. At 80 degrees the virus is killed in one minute. Good hygiene by hand washing and cleaning of surfaces will remove the virus.