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FAQs

Prevention tips for the public

Q：Is it safe to eat poultry, poultry products and eggs? Can eating chicken, duck meat and eggs infect a person with the avian influenza virus?
A：There currently is no scientific evidence that people have been infected with bird flu by eating safely handled and properly cooked poultry or eggs.
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Even if poultry and eggs were to be contaminated with the virus, proper cooking would kill it. So to stay safe, please follow the advice below:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs.
• Clean cutting boards and other utensils with soap and water to keep raw poultry from contaminating other foods.
• Heating foods at 60℃ for 30 minutes or heating above 70℃ (in all parts of the food).
• Cook eggs until whites and yolks are firm.
Q：What actions must be taken by households with pet birds?
A：
1. Household should avoid having physical contact and sharing same food utensils with wild birds.
2. Set aside a specific time for sanitizing and disinfecting the bird cage and their excretions. Always wear a face mask while performing this activity.
3. In case of contact with poultry, bird species or their excrements, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
4. In the event that the pet bird dies, careful and proper handling must be done by the owner. Do not discard dead birds arbitrarily.
5. Should fever, cough, soar throat, conjunctivitis and other symptoms of influenza-like illness occur within 7 days after contact with poultry/birds, immediately wear a mask and seek medical assistance. All information regarding physical contact with poultry/birds must be voluntarily reported to the attending physician.
Q：What are the travel health precautions for avian influenza?
A：
1. Have a good knowledge of the epidemic situation of the destination to be visited before going abroad.
2. Pay attention to food hygiene. Poultry, eggs, and other food products must be properly and thoroughly cooked prior to eating.
3. Observed personal hygiene. Keep the habit of frequent hand washing.
4. When traveling to areas affected by avian influenza, stay away from bird parks, farms, poultry farms, poultry slaughter houses, or live poultry markets. Do not feed birds. In case of accidental contact with birds or their feces, immediately wash both hands thoroughly with soap.
5. Immediately notify the tour guide when fever, coughing, sore throat, conjunctivitis and other symptoms of acute respiratory infection are felt. Wear a face mask and seek medical treatment promptly.
Q：What would we need to do when return from visiting areas affected by avian influenza?
A：
1. Fill out the‘Communicable Disease Survey Form’if fell ill or felt sick during trip.
2. Check body temperature every morning and night, as well as to keep a diary of personal health and places visited during the first 7 days of arrival. Immediately wear a mask and notify the local health bureau when developing fever (≧38˚C), cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms are felt. All information regarding contact with birds and recent travel history must be voluntarily reported to your health-care provider.

最後更新日期 2012/11/6