Prevention and Safety Tips

 

After reviewing all of this information, we asked, “What can an ordinary person do to protect themselves?”  So here is what we thought would be helpful to the average person:

When preparing chicken or eggs:

• If purchasing live chickens, avoid contact with live chickens, and their feces.
  
• NEVER slaughter or prepare sick/dead poultry at home - this carries the greatest risk of infection.
  
• Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet.
• Wash your hands with soap after you touch eggs or chicken (live, frozen, or thawed).
  
• Avoid foods with raw eggs.
• Separate raw and uncooked food from cooked food (and equipment used to handle raw foods).
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly and properly.

When traveling (CDC recommendations):    

• Bring a first aid kit, with a thermometer and a alcohol based hand-rub.
• Educate yourself and co-travelers about the Avian Flu.
• Be up to date on shots.
• See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before travel.
• Search for health-care resources in your destination.
• Avoid areas with live poultry (like live animal markets, and poultry farms).
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Thoroughly cook all foods.
• If Avian Flu symptoms develop, seek medical help and care. It is advised that further travel be stopped until symptoms go away.
• Monitor health for 10 days after returning. If you become ill, see your doctor.