Avian influenza (H5N1), known as bird flu, has affected bird populations in some rural areas of nations in the Eastern Hemisphere. Cases of infection in humans are rare, since the virus does not transmit easily from poultry to humans. Given the expanding geographical presence of the virus, however, health officials in the U.S. and abroad are monitoring the situation. The U.S. government provides a web site outlining its comprehensive response plan and other information at www.pandemicflu.gov.
Boston College is monitoring the situation and developing appropriate preparation and response measures, working in cooperation with local, regional and federal public heath offices.
Any alerts regarding avian flu or updated recommended precautions will be posted to this site.
If you are planning to study abroad or travel to countries with confirmed bird flu outbreaks, you should:
- avoid poultry farms
- avoid contact with live animals in markets
- avoid surfaces that appear to have been in contact with poultry or other animals
- avoid eating undercooked or raw eggs, poultry or duck
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, even if you don't think you've been in contact with any of the above.
Updated travel advisories from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control can be found at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentAvianFluInformation.aspx
