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The Department of Health today (October 20) reminded travellers and travel trade personnel to avoid contact with live poultry, birds, animals and their droppings when visiting countries where avian influenza has been found.

The advice comes on the heels of a report to the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) that a number of tigers in a zoo in a regional country had recently died of suspected avian flu.

A department spokesman said the Centre for Health Protection had been maintaining close contact with the World Health Organisation and health authorities in the region to monitor developments in avian influenza.

For prevention of avian flu in Hong Kong, the department had arranged with airlines to broadcast health messages on flights from places with avian influenza, advising passengers with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat to approach medical posts at the airport for assistance, the spokesman said.

Health messages on avian flu have also been broadcast more frequently at Chek Lap Kok airport.

"Together with the temperature screening on all arriving passengers at the airport, these measures could further protect travellers from infectious diseases" the spokesman said.

Noting that Hong Kong had an intensive surveillance system for human influenza, the spokesman said there had been no H5N1 isolates identified in Hong Kong in 2004.

"Local human and animal surveillance systems for the detection of avian flu are in place, together with appropriate response mechanisms," the spokesman said.

"As a general guideline for good hygiene practices, people should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching live poultry, birds, or animals."

Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating.

"People who develop influenza-like illnesses are also urged to seek prompt medical advice. They should also reveal their recent travel history to the attending doctors," the spokesman said.

Ends/Wednesday, October 20, 2004

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