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Kerala on high alert for bird flu - 5 prevention tips

Kerala on high alert for bird flu - 5 prevention tips

Written by Shraddha Rupavate |Updated : November 30, 2014 12:50 PM IST

There has been a sudden outbreak of bird flu in Kerala. Nearly 10,000 ducks have been killed in the three districts Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta so far. A couple of days back the ministry announced H5N1 as the strain of avian influenza to have caused the outbreak. (Read: Bird flu in Kerala: State on high alert for spread of H5N1 avian influenza)

Declaring Kerala on high alert, it was announced that the H5N1 strain is a potential threat to humans that can cause life-threatening complications. With the aim to contain the outbreak, the government has sped up the process of culling operations, targeting culling of 3 lakh birds within 3 days. The members of AHD squads who have under taken the culling operations are at the greatest risk of acquiring the infection apart from the poultry farmers who deal with infected birds on a daily basis. (Read: Bird flu in Kerala: 3 lakh birds to be culled within the next 3 days)

Here are a few things that can be done to prevent the spread of the viral disease to humans:

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  • Maintain basic hygiene: Like all other influenza strains, H5N1 also causes general flu like symptoms in humans and can be easily spread through direct contact with the birds. Therefore, maintaining basic hygiene is essential. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes. Use a tissue to cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing. Make sure you dispose-off the tissue immediately after use and wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Keep away from bird dropping: The virus is present in large amounts in droppings of infected birds. Therefore, farmers and those who handle these birds should wear protective equipment and wash their hands thoroughly in case of accidental touch.
  • Be careful while travelling: Those travelling to the affected areas should avoid visiting poultry farms and animal markets. In case of accidental contact, wash your hand immediately and seek medical help.
  • Hygiene while cooking meat: Bird flu cannot be transmitted through cooked food. So it is safe for you to eat eggs and meat if they are cooked hygienically. Wash your hands after handling raw meat. Use separate utensils for placing cooked and raw meat. Ensure that the utensils are washed thoroughly after cooking. It s preferable to serve the dish hot, after the temperature has reached high enough to make the preparation sterile.
  • Precautions for suspects: In case you develop flu-like symptoms after accidental contact with birds, minimise contact with those around you. Wear a mask and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. Seek medical advice immediately. Read more about how bird flu spreads in humans causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Photo source: Getty images


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