Avian Influenza Precautions

Avian influenza, commonly know as bird flu, has been prevalent in Indonesia since 2003 when the first cases were detected in chickens.  The first human cases were detected in 2005 and Indonesia now has recorded the largest number of human cases in the world with over 80 people infected and over 60 deaths.

Up to now the Indonesian government’s strategy in dealing with avian influenza has been vaccination of poultry and public awareness campaigns.  With several new cases recorded in January 2007, the government is now enforcing the culling of domestic fowl in residential areas where human avian influenza cases have been most prevalent, including Jakarta.

If the avian influenza virus (H5N1) gains the ability to spread easily from person-to-person, it may emerge as the cause of the next influenza pandemic.  In view of heightened concerns regarding the possibility of an influenza pandemic, we bring you some hints on precautions that you can take to ensure that you and your family remain healthy.  

• Never ingest raw or semi-cooked poultry products.  Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat.  Poultry and poultry products that will be consumed must be thoroughly cooked.  The inner temperature of meat must reach 70°C/158° F.  The virus has been detected in processed poultry (frozen duck meat).  Also thoroughly cook any pork products before consuming.

• Always wash raw meat before cooking and it is advisable to wear plastic gloves while cutting or handling raw chicken meat because raw meat may potentially carry the virus.

• All eggs should be washed while in their shells before being stored in the refrigerator, and then thoroughly cooked prior to eating.  They must not be eaten "runny".  Wash your hand well after washing raw eggs.

• Kitchen utensils that have just been used to handle chicken/fowl should be immediately cleaned and further disinfection applied to the washing area.

• Do not handle sick or dead birds.

• Avoid touching any surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry droppings, and do not swim in any body of water that is used by birds.

• Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene.  Frequent hand washing is very important.  Wash hands before and after food preparation.

• Avoid live animal markets and poultry and pig farms. 

• Consider having a seasonal influenza vaccination.  Although this will not protect you against avian flu, it reduces the risk of seasonal influenza.  Thus it reduces the chance of becoming co-infected with both seasonal and avian influenza; such co-infection could result in a pandemic strain of flu.

• If you keep birds as pets and wish to have them vaccinated against avian influenza the vaccine is available at the veterinary hospital:

Rumah Sakit Hewan Jakarta
Jl. RM Harsono No. 28
Ragunan,
South Jakarta
Phone: 789-1091 - 95

Keep in mind that the vast majority of human infections have occurred in people working in or living near poultry farms and animal markets and having direct contact with sick or dead birds.  The virus has also been detected in pigs.  There is no evidence that the virus has acquired the ability to spread easily between humans.  No travelers or expatriates have been infected.

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