5 Tips to Keep Flu Away

How avian influenza spreads to humans?

People need to have close contact with infected birds or poultry manure to get avian influenza. The virus is found in bird faeces and respiratory secretions. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus at this time.

Is it safe to eat cooked chicken meat?

Yes. Chicken meat should be cooked properly. If the virus was present in chicken meat it would be killed in the cooking process. All uncooked chicken meat, including frozen meat should always be handled hygienically. Wash hands and surfaces after contact with raw meat and separate raw meat from other raw foods. However, the person that is cutting up (processing) the raw chicken would need to take proper sanitation and safety precautions.

Is it safe to eat eggs?

Yes. Egg shells may have been contaminated with bird faeces. All eggs should be washed before sale but it is prudent to apply careful hygiene when handling an egg such as: washing the outside of eggs or washing hands after handling an egg. Eggs should not be separated into yolk and white by bare hands. Proper cooking of eggs is recommended. Particular care needs to be taken with foods that contain eggs that are not cooked such as mayonnaise and mousse.
How can the virus be killed?

Heat over 70 degrees celsius for 30 minutes will kill the virus. At 80 degrees the virus is killed in one minute. Good hygiene by hand washing and cleaning of surfaces will remove the virus.

Can a flu vaccine provide immunity?

Vaccines effective against a pandemic virus are not yet available. Vaccines are produced each year for seasonal influenza but will not protect against pandemic influenza. Although a vaccine against the H5N1 virus is under development in several countries, no vaccine is ready for commercial production and no vaccines are expected to be widely available until several months after the start of a pandemic.