Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

Updated: December 21, 2007

H5N1 is a severe avian influenza A virus that continues to be reported in birds around the world including Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  It has been circulating and causing disease among birds since 2003.  In rare instances, humans have become infected with the H5N1 virus.  People who become infected with H5N1 can become seriously ill, and in some cases die.

For update on occurrence of human avian influenza A (H5N1) across the world, refer to http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/h5n1/index.html, and http://www.who.int/csr/en/.

The symptoms of H5N1 resemble those of human influenza, including fever, cough, aching muscles and sore throat and may develop into serious respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. Nearly all human cases of H5N1 have occurred through direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated by their feces.  For general information on avian influenza, http://www.influenza.gc.ca/ai-ga_e.html

Although the risk of contracting H5N1 is generally considered low for travellers, there are precautions you can take to protect yourself.

Recommendations

For most travellers, the risk of contracting H5N1 is extremely low since H5N1 is an avian disease.  Nevertheless, you can take the following precautions to minimize your risk of infection: 

Avoid unnecessary contact with domestic poultry and wild birds as well as surfaces contaminated with their feces or secretions.  This includes poultry farms, back yard flocks and markets where live and slaughtered animals such as chickens and ducks are sold.  

Wash your hands!  Travellers are advised to maintain high standards of hygiene and to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, as disease-causing microbes such as viruses and bacteria can often be found on the hands.  Washing with hot, soapy water and lathering for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.  Alternatively, if your hands are not visibly dirty, you can use a waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  If your hands are visibly dirty and soap and water are not available, you can remove the dirt with a moist towelette and then use a waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  

Ensure that all poultry dishes, including eggs, are thoroughly cooked.  Itis always advisable to avoid undercooked or raw poultry dishes, including eggs and egg products. In thoroughly cooked poultry juice runs clear and there is no visible pink meat.  

Monitor your health.  Travellers, who on their return to Canada develop flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, aching muscles and a sore throat, should seek a medical assessment from a physician.  Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living in an area where H5N1 occurs.

In addition to protecting your own health, travelers are encouraged to refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) guidelines for information on how to prevent the introduction of H5N1 into Canada's animal population, as follows:  CFIA Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza.

As a reminder…

The Public Health Agency of Canada routinely recommends that Canadian international travellers seek the advice of their personal physician or travel clinic at least eight weeks prior to international travel, regardless of destination, for an individual risk assessment to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination, preventative medication, and personal protective measures.

Travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada, and exhibit symptoms including fever, cough, aching muscles and sore throat, should seek a medical assessment from a physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.

Additional Information

Information on Avian Influenza from the Public Health Agency of Canada

• Avian Influenza Page
• Human Health Issues related to Avian Influenza in Canada
• FAQ on Avian Influenza
• Current table of affected areas

External Sources of Information

• Government of Canada:  Pandemic Influenza Avian Influenza information page
• Health Canada:  Poultry cooking guidelines
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency recommendations to prevent the introduction of disease into Canada's animal population
• World Health Organization:  Avian Influenza Disease Page
• World Organization for Animal Health: Reports of infected animals by country