Prevention of Avian Influenza Infection

Consumer of chicken and chicken products:

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

Food handlers and people who prepare food for household consumption:

• 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 nose, 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.

Management of pets:

• Watch out for any animal deaths.
• Avoid contact with dead poultry/birds and their feces. If contact is really necessary, cover your hands, nose and mouth. Wash your hands with soap and water for 10 seconds afterwards.
• When burying dead birds or their feces, avoid generating dust. Spraying or sprinkle water to dampen the area first. Bury bird carcass and feces at a depth of at least 1 metre.
• When the dead birds and their feces have been properly disposed, clean cages and other contaminated areas very well with detergent and water. Influenza viruses are relatively easy to kill using detergents and disinfectants.

Living in bird flu affected area:

• If you find sick or dying birds (of any species) in your neighborhood, report it to the Provincial Agriculture department (Dinas Peternakan). Wear gloves and put a cloth over your mouth if you have to touch these birds. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 10 seconds after touching the birds.
• Avoid entering farms or wet markets where live birds/poultry are kept.
• After walking around areas that may be contaminated (such as farms, markets or backyards with poultry), clean your shoes as carefully as possible with soap and water.
• When cleaning shoes, make sure that you do not flick any particles into your face or on your clothes. Wear gloves or put a plastic bag over your hands.

Influenza-like symptoms (e.g. fever >38 °C , cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches):

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue and throw it away once used. Teach children to do this as well.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after any contact with secretions from nose or mouth as these can carry the virus.
• Children are especially prone to touching their face, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands. Teach children the importance of hand washing after coughing and sneezing.
• If you go to the doctor, wear a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a cloth.
• If you have fever and breathing difficulties, go to the health centre and ask them if you have influenza.

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