The risk of avian influenza to humans is almost entirely confined to those who have had close contact with infected domestic poultry. For people who have no contact with domestic or wild birds the risk is almost non-existent.

As of last week there has been one report of a wild swan being infected with avian influenza ‘bird flu’ in Scotland - this is the only report in the UK and the area has been quarantined. According to The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the risk of anyone catching it is extremely low.

However, as a precaution, Coventry & Warwickshire Health Protection Team have asked the University to pass this information on to staff and students.

Advice to students who are returning from areas of the world where there have been outbreaks of Avian ‘flu

Avian influenza (H5N1) or “bird flu” is a disease caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and less commonly pigs. Very rarely humans can get infected through close contact with infected birds. Human cases have been reported in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. The latest travel advice is posted on the Department of Health and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) websites (see below). While the number of human cases associated with the current outbreaks of avian influenza remains low, this advice is unlikely to change from the following:

1) What precautions can I take whilst away from Britain

• Avoid live poultry/markets and similar places with large concentrations of birds or other animals.
• Avoid handling or eating undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes.
• Avoid contact with live or dead wild or domestic birds, or contact with sufaces or water contaminated with their faeces.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water (and dry hands thoroughly) after contact with wild or domestic birds.
• Do not try to bring any poultry products back to the UK

2) What are the symptoms of Avian ‘flu?

The symptoms are similar to human ‘flu most commonly starting with high temperature (+38°) and either cough or shortness of breath.

3) What should I do if I become ill on my return to Britain?

Even if you become ill on your return to Britain it is still very unlikely that you will have avian flu. But go to question 4 below…

4) If you can answer YES to all of the following questions you should seek help.

• You develop a high temperature and either a cough or shortness of breath which you consider is severe enough to need medical help AND
• You have visited a country on the list of countries affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza AND
• You have had close contact (within 1 metre) with live or dead poultry (chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys), wild birds or pigs (or places that house them – eg markets) in one of these countries in the seven days before your illness started

5) If you are concerned that you may have avian ‘flu you should:

• Contact a close friend or resident tutor (preferably by telephone) and the University Health Centre, in the normal way, informing them that you are ill and that it is possible that you may have avian flu. You should give all the details from question 4 above.
• Stay in your room and contact your doctor by telephone or NHS Direct (0845 4647) so that they can make the appropriate assessment and if necessary arrange for appropriate tests.
• Do not mix with other students until this assessment has been completed.

This advice is based on HPA guidance available as of 16 December 2005. For up to date information log into the websites listed below.

Recommended Web pages for current information and recommendations:

Health Protection Agency guidance www.hpa.org.uk

HPA returning travellers algorithm listing countries currently affected by avian influenza http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/avianinfluenza/algorithm.htm

Department of Health guidance www.dh.gov.uk

National Travel Health Network and Centre www.nathnac.org (advice to travellers)

World Organisation for Animal Health www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

World Health Organisation Avian Flu Fact Sheet - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/index.html

BBC Health News: Avian Flu - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3422839.stm