Understanding Avian Flu H7N9

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  • Avian flu or bird flu is caused by a type of influenza virus that rarely infects humans. More than a dozen types of bird flu virus have been identified, including the two strains that have most recently infected humans — H5N1 and H7N9.
  • Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The disease is transmitted via contacting with or inhaling an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes.
  • The virus can be dormant in an infected person for up to 10 days with a median of 6 days. Afterwards, symptoms of common flu may occur including fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches.
  • How bird flu is treated depends on what the virus is doing to your body. In some cases, antiviral medicines may help you feel better. In such cases, antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) may be prescribed.
  • In a few cases, bird flu was passed from one person to another person, not from a bird to a person. But this was very rare. Experts also worry because the bird flu virus is so different from other flu viruses that our bodies do not have immunity against it.
  • Practice good hygiene and common sense as dealing with any type of contagious diseases.
    1. Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections of all kinds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol when you travel.
    2. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If flu symptoms occur, wear a mask and get plenty of rest. Call or go to the hospital if there are any concerns.
    3. Avoid cross-contamination when in the kitchen. Use hot, soapy water to wash cutting boards, utensils and all surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry. Wash your hands immediately afterwards.
    4. Cook food thoroughly. Cook chicken until the juices run clear, and it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 74℃.
      Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with bird droppings, avoid foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.
    5. Maintain proper personal hygiene habits, balanced diet, adequate exercise and rest.
  • In areas or countries with known or suspected bird flu：
    1. Avoid contact with birds and their secretions. Do not buy from unknown sources or breeding or smuggled birds.
    2. Avoid poultry farms, poultry-processing factories or plants, open-air markets, and close contact with chickens, turkeys, or ducks.
    3. Stay away from open-air markets where live birds are sold.
    4. If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia or to any region with bird flu outbreaks, practice self isolation for 10 days. Check your body temperature everyday in the morning and the afternoon for at least 10 days. Go to the hospital as soon as possible if there are any flu symptoms and mention your travel history promptly.
    5. If there is known contact with birds or traveling to areas with bird flu outbreaks, seek medical treatment if there is any fever, sore throat, cough, conjunctivitis or other symptoms. Wear a mask and take the initiative to inform the medical staff of related contact history, job content or any relevant information.
  • If you have been diagnosed with bird flu but do not need admission, return home immediately and practice self isolation. Take medicine as prescribed and do not stop medication unless instructed, especially if there are antiviral drugs.
    If symptoms progress or worsen (e.g. chest tightness, difficulty breathing, conscious change), go to the hospital right away.
  • Avoid visitors during hospitalization.
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