Ways to Prevent Bird Flu

Bird flu or avian flu is one of several strains of influenza, but it mainly affects birds, killing millions worldwide. Human cases of bird flu remain limited, and the virus is not considered to pose a big threat to people. Most cases of bird flu in humans have been traced back to contact with infected birds. Only a few cases of human-to-human transmission have been documented. So far, bird flu cases have mainly been concentrated in Southeast Asia and the Middle East; however, both human and bird cases have been documented in North America and Europe.

Hygiene

• As with all viruses and infectious diseases, one of the best ways to prevent getting sick is to practice good hygiene. Thoroughly and frequently washing your hands with warm, soapy water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to avoid the spread of disease. If bird flu is a concern, also be sure to try and clean surfaces that may have become contaminated. It's also important to remind children to frequently wash their hands.

Poultry

• If bird flu has been reported in birds in your area, it is especially important to follow certain precautions to avoid infection. First, avoid eating raw eggs or coming into contact with eggshells, which can be contaminated with bird feces. Also avoid products containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as mayonnaise. When preparing poultry, including chicken, turkey and duck, be sure to cook it until the juices run clear and it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also be sure to thoroughly clean utensils, knives, cutting boards and other kitchen surfaces that came into contact with the raw poultry in hot, soapy water.

Traveling

• People who are traveling in areas where bird flu is more prevalent should take additional precautions to prevent becoming infected. For example, try avoiding open-air markets, areas where the infection may be present because of poultry being sold. It's also a good idea to avoid rural areas and small poultry farms, where birds infected with the virus may be living.

Vaccine

• A vaccine to prevent bird-flu infections is available, but because the illness poses little risk to humans it has not yet been made available for widespread use. If an outbreak were to occur, the vaccine would be made available. If an outbreak occurs, people at high risk should make it a priority to get the vaccine, especially because the bird flu has proven to be much more deadly than other flu strains. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half the people who contract bird flu will die from it.