Travel Bulletin

Health: Avian Influenza

This Bulletin is current for Saturday, 13 December 2008.
The Bulletin was issued on Thursday, 11 December 2008, 14:57:14, EST.

Summary

• Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and only rarely causes infections in humans and other mammals.
• Human cases of avian influenza continue to occur in a number of countries as a result of exposure to infected birds, usually domestic poultry. There is currently no evidence of efficient spread of avian influenza from person to person.
• Australian travellers, long-term residents and businesses overseas should inform themselves about the risks of avian influenza, be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and put appropriate contingency plans in place.

Avian influenza outbreak

Since November 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed human cases or deaths from avian influenza in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia (including Bali), Iraq, Laos, Burma, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

The WHO has not advised against travel to any of the affected countries. Current information on human health risks from avian influenza can be found on the WHO website.

Avian influenza amongst birds

H5N1 has affected birds in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe

For a list of countries in which outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds have been reported, see the website of the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Reducing the risk of infection

Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and does not spread easily to humans. Nonetheless, people are at risk of contracting avian influenza if they have close contact with infected birds, their faeces or body fluids.

Australians travelling to areas affected by avian influenza can reduce their risk of infection by:
- avoiding situations where they may come into contact with infected birds, including live bird markets;
- washing hands thoroughly after contact with infected or potentially infected birds, their faeces or body fluids.
- ensuring all poultry and eggs are cooked thoroughly before eating (proper cooking destroys the virus in poultry and eggs); and
- ensuring all uncooked poultry and eggs are handled hygienically with careful attention to hand washing after handling.

There is some evidence that mammals such as cats and dogs can be infected by avian influenza. As these, and other animals, can harbour a range of infectious diseases it is good personal hygiene to avoid the secretions and excretions of animals, especially in affected areas, and promptly wash hands after any contact with animals.

Advice for Australians

Australians intending to travel to avian influenza affected areas should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.

The Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) advises Australians and Australian businesses who reside and/or operate in an avian influenza affected area for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are taken.

Australians should familiarise themselves with the advice regarding personal protective and infection-control measures provided on DOHA's Pandemic Influenza website, including the "Prepared and Protected" video.

Should a sustained human-to-human outbreak occur, Australians and Australian businesses should be aware that the delivery of consular assistance to Australians could be severely constrained by local health conditions and restrictions on travel. Australian travellers, long-term residents and businesses overseas should be prepared in these circumstances to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being and should monitor this bulletin and the relevant country travel advice for updated information and advice. Australian missions and offices overseas will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas.

If the threat of sustained human-to-human transmission appears serious, we will advise Australians in affected countries to consider leaving and Australians planning travel to affected countries to reconsider their need to travel. At the same time, the Australian Government would likely direct dependants of staff and staff who are not providing emergency services to leave. As a precautionary measure in case they need to depart at short notice, Australians should ensure that their travel documents are up-to-date, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members.

If the virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australians who don't leave affected countries when first advised to do so may be prevented from leaving later. Borders may be closed, commercial air services may be curtailed or halted and quarantine requirements may further restrict options for leaving. Australians need to consider in advance how they can care for themselves and put appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians who return to Australia from any areas affected by human-to-human transmission may be asked to quarantine themselves after arrival.

Australian Government precautions

The Australian Government has decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the influenza antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at most of its overseas missions. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of pandemic influenza. These medicines are not currently being taken by staff and will only be taken on medical advice.

This is a prudent measure to ensure that Australian officials overseas will be able to maintain essential services to Australians if a human outbreak does occur. The limited influenza antiviral medicine supplies held at these missions and offices is not intended and does not allow for provision to other Australians who may be in an affected area.

Further information

Answers to frequently asked questions about avian influenza are available from the Department of Health and Ageing's website or by phoning the department's Public Health Information Line on 1800 004 599 between 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in conjunction with the Department of Health and Ageing will continue to monitor avian influenza closely including for any implications for overseas travel.

You can also visit the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention website.