Bird flu travel warning: Smartraveller alert issued by Australian Government over avian influenza outbreak

The Australian Government has issued a travel warning to Aussies heading overseas in the midst of a highly pathogenic bird flu outbreak.

The advice, on the smartraveller.gov.au site, has warned anyone travelling to Europe, North America, South America and Asia to be “aware of increased health risks”.

Avian influenza, which mainly affects birds, has been known to affect other animals and can be transmitted to humans.

Eggs and poultry meat are safe to eat if handled and cooked using safe food handling practices, but contact with infected animals could be dangerous, the advice warns.

What to do before you travel:

Research the health risks in your travel destination before you leave.

There is no vaccine for avian influenza, but the annual influenza vaccine may help prevent bird flu from becoming a bigger threat to humans, according to the Smartraveller site.

What to do while you’re travelling:

• Minimise contact with animals in areas affected by avian influenza.
• Avoid contact with dead or sick animals, including wild birds.
• Avoid poultry farms and live bird ‘wet’ markets.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially after contact with animals and their environments.
• Ensure that poultry or poultry products are cooked thoroughly before eating.
• Monitor yourself for symptoms.
• Talk to a doctor if you’re feeling sick or unwell.

The statement says that anyone feeling unwell while travelling back to Australia should alert the cabin crew or airport staff and tell them about any contact with sick people or animals.

Bird flu symptoms

People infected with avian influenza may not show any symptoms.

If they do, they could include:

• Eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis)
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia

What to do after you get home

See your doctor if you show symptoms of avian influenza and disclose any contact with animals or sick people that you may have had while overseas.

Check the Smartraveller website for more information.