Have The Bird Flu Blues How To Protect Yourself In Those Stricken Countries

If you follow the news, you probably recall a few outbreaks of the bird flu. If you plan to visit any of those countries on the bird flu hot list, you will want to take a few minor precautions to ensure that you will stay safe and healthy during and after your visit. Of course, before you do anything else, check the WHO or World Health Organization's website as well as the CDC, Centers for Disease Control. Both of these websites provide in depth information about current health situations and alerts at your destination.

Most of the precautions against the bird flu are standard ones that would you follow given any type of travel to a foreign country. For instance, you should visit a doctor who specializes in travel medicine. They would be well-rehearsed on the proper immunizations you would need, depending on the country you intend to visit. Also, the doctor may have to prescribe you certain medications as a precautionary measure against illnesses.

In regards to bird flu, there are a few precautionary measures you can take to minimize your exposure and risks. Because there is no vaccination for bird flu (regular influenza shots don't apply), you have to be especially diligent. Therefore, you should try and do the following:

1. If you plan to eat any poultry or bird based products such as meat or eggs, be sure that they are cooked to the proper temperature to kill any bird flu viruses.

2. Traveling near farms or rural areas with birds means that you will want to ensure that you do not touch any surfaces that birds may have touched. Don't pick up bird feathers or try to feed or pet birds as they might harbor the bird flu virus. Remember that germs and viruses linger on, so even if a barn does not have any poultry anymore, that doesn't mean the virus isn't still lingering in those feathers or leftover animal dander.

3. If you have been near any areas where birds might cohabitate, you will want to clean your shoes to remove any chance of the bird flu virus. Just remember the most innocent or innocuous exposure could prove risky. Use a bleach solution to clean the soles of your shoes.

4. Wash your hands. That is half the battle towards staying health. Washing hands with regular soap and water will kill most germs and viruses. Keep a hand sanitizer in your purse or pocket as well for those times when you are not near soap and water.

5. Practice diligence and avoid any birds, from the pigeons gathering in a market square to the dead bird hanging in an open air market that is for sale. You just don't know where those birds have been and chances are that you don't want to either! Preventing exposure to the bird flu is a lot easier than trying to treat it.

Really, it is all a matter of following good hygiene practices as well as avoiding all birds when possible. Of course, it also helps if you are in tip top shape too. The bird flu is serious and many people around the world have died from it. Therefore, it is worth it to take the extra precautions. If anything, they will set your mind at ease.

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