Bird Flu Center

Perhaps the most important aspect of such an important health issue is bird flu prevention. Generally speaking, it is much easier to prevent than to treat and cure, and avian flu
is no stranger to this rule.

Avian influenza is not an isolated problem anymore. The virus can span across an entire continent in a matter of months and areas that were once safe can quickly come under threat. So for travellers in general, but especially for those going to high risk zones such as Southeast Asia or any other region where bird flu outbreaks have been spotted, there are a few guidelines to follow:
*You should avoid any close contact with domesticated birds. Fowl is the most frequent source of the virus spread. Prevent bird flu contact by avoiding rural areas, small farms or open-air markets.
*Wash your hands frequently. As any contact is usually made by the use of hands, this simple rule applies to all kinds of infections. On the road, alcohol-based sanitizers are easy to use and very effective in destroying bacteria and viruses.
*Watch your children and make sure they keep clean and don’t come into contact with potentially infectious objects.
*Avoid raw eggs and food which requires raw eggs to produce. Bird flu prevention is mainly about avoiding direct poultry products, and eggshells are often contaminated with bird droppings, one of the main sources of transmission of the virus. Stay clear of mayonnaise, ice cream and other similar products.
*Get a flu shot. Bird flu vaccines are still under research, but a simple flu shot will greatly reduce the risk of being simultaneously infected with bird flu and a human flu virus.

Although a direct connection between eating poultry and bird flu infections has not been made yet, caution is advisable in handling and preparing the meat. In any environment, if you are cooking poultry, you can prevent bird flu infections with a few simple rules:
*Wash everything very well. Surfaces you work on, cutting boards and utensils that come into contact with raw poultry should be thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water. Wash your hands before and after handling and cooking the meat and dry them with a disposable towel.
*Cook thoroughly. Bird flu prevention involves cooking poultry until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 80 degrees Celsius). Heat destroys the virus, so any undercooked eggs or poultry products should be avoided.

The effort to prevent bird flu spread also takes place at a national and international level, focused on ensuring the health of birds and humans alike. In risk areas and regions where the virus has been identified, authorities are implementing measures designed to isolate and prevent the spreading of the avian influenza:
*Culling infected or exposed birds is the first and main approach. Since the first outbreak in 1997, hundreds of millions of birds have been killed in an attempt to eliminate the primary source of the virus. Cullers were protective equipment (surgical gowns and gloves, respirator masks, rubber boots) and access to the areas in question is restricted.
*In many countries, bird flu prevention is sustained with surveillance programs. Poultry farms and bird imports are under close control, with some countries banning such imports from regions with bird flu epidemics.

Some of this measures are unpopular, as whole regions base their financial security on poultry related industries. However, to prevent bird flu, strict sanitary and biological measures are a must and an attempt is made to balance the effectiveness of the methods and the
side effects to local communities.