Advice for travellers
The World Health Organisation does not at present recommend any restrictions on travel to any country currently experiencing outbreaks of bird flu in poultry flocks, including countries which have also reported cases in humans. If you are visiting countries with reported outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu among poultry, you should observe the following measures:
- do not visit bird or poultry farms or markets
- avoid close contact with live or dead poultry
- do not eat raw or poorly-cooked poultry or poultry products, including blood
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- do not attempt to bring any live birds or poultry products back to the UK
If you have been in contact with live or dead poultry in an affected country be aware of the symptoms of bird flu in humans. They are similar to ordinary flu symptoms and can appear suddenly. They may include:
- a fever (temperature of 38°C or more)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- headache
- sore throat
- sore eyes
- muscle aches
If you have these symptoms whilst abroad and have been in close contact with live or dead poultry you should seek medical advice locally. If you develop the above symptoms within seven days of leaving an affected country and you had close contact with live or dead poultry, it is very important that you seek immediate medical attention.