AVIAN INFLUENZA

Avian Influenza : Getting the disease under control

With a death toll from the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu of 55, Indonesia has the world's higherst number of human deaths. The country has become the focus of the fight against the virus. Most of the infections have been contracted from domestic fowl. The World Health Organization fears the virus could mutate a form that easily spreads among humans, sparking a global epidemic.

Prevention of Avian Influenza Infection Costumer of chicken and chicken products :

• Chicken meats and eggs in the market are safe but they be throughly cooked. Meat should be throughly cooked untill it is no longer pink.
• Do not eat half cooked meat (chicken, duck etc)
• Do not eat raw eggs or soft-boiled eggs.

Food handlers and people who prepare food for household comsumtion:

• Don't buy chicken meat that has dark, bruised or hemorrhagic spots.
• Don't buy unusually cheap chicken meat ( as this may suggest that the animal was sick before slaughter)
• Don't buy eggs that have cracked shells or have dirt, feces or feathers on them. wash eggs thoroughly before cooking.
• Don't use dirty hand to touch the nouse, eyes, or mouth. Wash hands frequently, especially after handling chicken meat, duck meat, offal and eggs.
• Use separate chopping boards for meats, vegetable, cooked and raw food.

Sources : Avian Influenza Team, WHO Indonesia, Health Massenger,