Supplemental Consular Newsletter February 2007

Keeping Yourself Safe from Bird Flu: An Important Message for People Going to Asia during the Lunar New Year (February 18)

Released: February 7, 2007

In several countries in Asia, people have been infected with avian influenza H5N1, also called bird flu, see World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza website. Outbreaks have also occurred in poultry in some Asian countries, view updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). CDC suggests that you follow certain safety measures if you are traveling to one of these countries during the Lunar New Year: Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, Hong Kong (SARPRC), Indonesia, Korea (Rep of), Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Before your trip

• Visit CDC's Travelers’ Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel to learn about health advice for travel to these countries.
• See your doctor and make sure you have all the shots, medicine and information you need.
• Make sure to take basic first aid and medical supplies, such as a thermometer and alcohol-based hand gel (with 60% alcohol) to clean your hands.
• Check the CDC web page Seeking Health Care Abroad at www.cdc.gov/travel and the U.S Dept. of State website at http://travel.state.gov/ for information about what to do if you get sick overseas.

During your trip

• Do not go to bird farms and live bird markets.
• Avoid touching:
  • Live birds, including chickens and ducks and wild birds even if they do not seem sick.
  • Dead or sick chickens, ducks or other birds.
  • Surfaces that have bird feces, blood, or other body fluids on them.

• Make sure the meat and other foods from birds that you eat, like eggs and poultry blood, are fully cooked. Egg yolks should not be runny or liquid.
• If you will be preparing food, remember to keep raw meats away from other foods. After touching raw poultry or eggs, make sure to wash your hands and all surfaces, dishes, and utensils thoroughly with soap and water.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. You can use an alcohol-based hand gel when you do not have soap and your hands do not look dirty.
• Remember to cover your cough:
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
  • Put your used tissue in the wastebasket.
  • Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing by washing them with soap and water (or by using an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • You may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.
• If you have a fever with a cough, sore throat, or trouble breathing, or if you become very sick, go to the doctor. Tell the doctor if you think you might have been around a person or animal with bird flu.
• Avoid traveling until you are well, unless you have to travel locally to get treatment for your sickness.

* Note: Some countries have begun health monitoring techniques, such as temperature screenings, at ports of entry. Please consult the embassy of your travel destination country if you have any questions.

After your trip

• Pay attention to how you feel for 10 days after you get home.
• If you get sick with a fever with a cough, sore throat, or have trouble breathing, go to the doctor.
  
• When you go to the doctor, tell your doctor that you have been to a country where people have been sick with bird flu and that you are feeling sick.
• Avoid traveling if you are sick, unless it is to go to the doctor.
• To learn more about avian influenza, visit CDC online at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian.

  Additional information

To learn more about avian influenza in people, visit these websites: