warden message

February 20, 2008

Warden Message-Avian Influenza

As you are aware, Avian Influenza (H5N1 virus) continues to spread through Bangladesh. There have not been any confirmed cases of human infection in Bangladesh. This message provides information on proper procedures for handling of sick and dead birds and poultry food preparation. Educational outreach to Americans in Bangladesh and their household staff is one of several measures the U.S. Embassy is taking to safeguard community health and to support the Government of Bangladesh in addressing the Avian Influenza threat.

IMPORTANT DO'S AND DON'TS

DO NOT, under any circumstances, touch or even approach dead birds or birds which are alive but appear to be ill unless necessary.

DO educate children and household staff to follow the same precautions.

DO, as much as possible, safeguard pets from coming into contact with dead or ill birds.

DO have a family plan for how to respond in the unlikely but possible event of a virulent human disease or pandemic flu. For more information, please see http://www.pandemicflu.gov or the U.S. Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html

DO encourage frequent, thorough hand-washing with soap and water. This prevents many illnesses, and is the best defense you, your family and your staff can take.

If you find a dead bird, follow the instructions immediately below for disposing of them. DO NOT touch any ill or dead birds without appropriate protective equipment.

* Wear gloves and a mask if possible, and remove the carcass with a shovel or other disposable or cleanable utensil. Under no circumstances should the bird be touched with bare hands.

* Place the dead bird in a plastic bag and seal it. Place this bag in another bag or a cardboard box.

* If disposing of the carcass in the absence of other instructions from local government, bury it in a location where it is unlikely to be disturbed by other animals.

* Thoroughly clean the shovel or other utensil used to dispose of the dead bird with soap and water.

* Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for 15-20 seconds.

* If one location experiences a large number (more than 5) of dead birds on one day, report it to your local government. For example, if in Dhaka, contact the Dhaka City Corporation, Dr. Voyger Rahmna at 01711-239939 or Dr. Aminul Islam Badal at 01711-820447.

SAFE FOOD PREPARATION

* Always begin by thoroughly washing hands with soap and water.

* Remember to thoroughly cook any birds or eggs that will be served to eat. Adequate
cooking kills the virus and makes food safe.

* Educate your cooks to separate raw and cooked foods, to use different chopping boards or utensils for each, and to clean their hands and any surface or utensil that touched raw foods thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.

* Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes while handling poultry products.

* After cooking poultry, place it on a clean plate. Never put it back on the surface where the raw poultry was.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka can be reached at (880-2) 885-5500 during regular hours and for after-hours emergencies. Our website address is dhaka.usembassy.gov. For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Country Specific Information, Current Travel Warning, Current Travel Alerts, Worldwide Caution, and other Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings can be found.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada; or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. Embassy
Dhaka, Bangladesh