How to prevent avian influenza

Travellers, especially those going to high-risk zones such as Southeast Asia, should follow the guidelines below in order to avoid contracting avian influenza:

• Avoid any close contact with domesticated birds. Prevent bird flu contact by avoiding rural areas, small farms or open-air markets.
• Avoid any close contact with domesticated birds. Prevent bird flu contact by avoiding rural areas, small farms or open-air markets.
• 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.
• 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.