5th February 2007 Health and Hygiene Advice Regarding Avian Flu

Health and Social Services
Health Protection, Public Health Department
Le Bas Centre, St Saviour's Road
St Helier, Jersey, JE1 4HR
Tel: +44 (0)1534 623712
Fax: +44 (0)1534 633720

05 February 2007

Health and hygiene advice re: the avian flu occurrence in the UK

All animals and birds naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans, where they may cause ill health. Some examples of organisms which may be contracted are Salmonellosis, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E coli O157. They may present a serious hazard and potentially cause severe disease some in particular can cause severe illness in young children.

Avian flu (H5N1) has also been reported as the source of fatality in a number of incidents even though it is primarily a disease of birds. Whilst it remains a possible risk for humans, by far the largest exposure and risk for the human population remains with those micro-organisms which are naturally present.

For people, the risk of catching the disease comes from being in close contact with live poultry that have the disease, and not through eating poultry or eggs. Poultry can include chicken, duck, goose, turkey and guinea fowl and so on.

If you own poultry it is also important to ensure that they are housed in separate accommodation not forming part of a domestic dwelling to ensure there is no close contact. If you are in contact with animals and birds either through ownership or occasional farm visits remember the following points;

Always wash your hands:

after handling or touching animals and birds and particularly before eating food.

touching gates or pens/cages of animals and birds contaminated with faeces;

walking through areas contaminated with faeces and later removing and/or cleaning footwear.

Cover cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters.