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Avoiding bird flu dangers

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If bird flu mutates, it is feared travelers could play a role in spreading the virus.

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- The detection of bird flu in Europe and further deaths from the disease in Asia have heightened health concerns for people visiting affected countries.

So far the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease has claimed more than 60 lives across Southeast Asia and been detected in birds in Russia, Turkey and Romania.

European nations have been holding crisis talks in the hope of heading off a possible pandemic in the coming northern hemisphere winter.

As with all influenzas, it is feared that international travelers could play a key role in transmitting future strains of the virus across borders, as well as exposing themselves to dangers.

"Flu viruses of all kinds spread rapidly from person to person, mostly by the airborne route," says Dr. Bradley Sack, international health professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

"This is particularly important for travelers because they can transport the virus anywhere in the globe within a day or two," he told a seminar held by the US-based National Business Travel Association.

"This suggests that a new virus would spread even more quickly than in the past because of the extensive and increasing use of air travel."

But, say medical advisors, although there is a risk the virus circulating in birds could mutate to spread easily in people, in its present form it is simple to avoid.

"Since ... cases have been limited to people working with infected flock, it means the risk to travelers is small," adds Sack.

He and other experts say sensible steps should still be taken to avoid infection, primarily through avoiding contact with infected birds.

Travelers are advised to steer clear of poultry markets and farms and, if eating chicken and other birds, these should be well cooked. Hands should be washed frequently.

There is no risk of contamination through air conditioning systems and measures such as face masks are not considered necessary.

While there is currently no preventative medication available to ward off bird flu, The World Health Organization says commercially-available anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

Says Sack, travelers also have a responsibility to monitor their own health on returning from affected countries.

If signs of influenza emerge in the 10-days after returning, they should avoid contact with other people and seek medical advice.

  • Countries that have reported outbreaks of the H5N1 strain include, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, and Romania. Japan, Malaysia and South Korea say they are now free of the virus.
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