Recommendations for Travelers

If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia or to any region with bird flu outbreaks, consider there public health recommendations:

How to Effect Travelers

 

● Avoid domesticated birds. It possible-avoid rural areas, small farms and especially any close contact with domesticated fowl.

● Avoid open-air markets. These can be colorful or dreadful, depending on your tolerance level, but no matter how you see them, they’re often breeding grounds for disease.

● Wash your hands: One of the simplest ways to prevent infections of all kinds hand washing is also one of the best when you’re traveling, alcohol-based hand sanitizers which don’t require the use of water are an excellent choice. They’re actually more effective than hand washing in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease, commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. In fact, use of these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing. Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, however, some “waterless” hand sanitizes don’t contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.

● Watch your kids. Keep a careful eye on young children, who are likely to put their hands in their mouths and who may not wash thoroughly. 

● Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with bird dropping, avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, ice cream, and any other foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.

● Ask about a flu shot. Before traveling, ask yours doctor about a flu shot. It won’t protect you from bird flu, but it may help reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with bird and human flu viruses.  

Preparing Poultry:

            No human cases of bird flu have been linked to eating poultry, although in at least on instance, the H5N1 virus was found in a package if frozen duck. Because heat destroys avian viruses, WHO officials don’t consider cooked poultry a health threat. Even so, it’s best to take precautions when handling and preparing poultry, which is often contaminated with salmonella or other harmful bacteria.

● Wash well carefully wash cutting boards, utensils and all surfaces that have come into confect worth raw poultry in hot soapy water. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling poultry and dry with a disposable towel.

● Cook thoroughly cook chicken until the Juices run clear and it reaches an internal temperate are of 180 F. Avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs or any products containing them, including mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce and homemade ice cream.