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Information for Travelers

Warden Message

March 3, 2007

The Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed the presence of H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI) strain in samples from domestic poultry in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.  This follows last year's pattern of the appearance of H5N1 which also began in Nangarhar, prior to spreading to 8 other provinces.  It is possible that the appearance of this strain has been caused by the importation of birds from Pakistan, which reported it on February 5.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has advised that it is safe to consume poultry products as long as they are cooked and handled properly (see below for further guidance.)  The Ministries of Agriculture and Health have also stated that it is still permissible to import poultry products from countries that have not experienced outbreaks of H5N1 (such as the US and Canada).  All live bird importation has been banned from neighboring countries.

As the name suggests, while the strain is occasionally found in other animals, birds are the primary carriers.  AI is primarily transferred between birds, especially wild birds to poultry.  It is highly contagious among birds and spreads quickly throughout a flock.  Domestic chickens are particularly at risk of Avian Influenza.   AI can be transmitted from birds to humans, but there is only limited evidence to suggest that AI can be transferred from human to human.  This is a disease currently involving birds but surveillance is on going to detect potential human cases.  Presently, no human cases have been identified.

In accordance with guidelines from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, the Embassy recommends that Americans, and any local staff who work for them, take the following precautions:

  • Confine backyard birds, pet birds, or hunting birds in cages.   Isolate sick birds from the rest of the flock. 
  • Avoid contact with sick or dead birds.   Note that birds die regularly from many diseases, and that a fallen bird may or may not have AI.  Report unusual numbers of bird deaths to either the Provincial Veterinarian or the Central Government's Ministry of Agriculture's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Azizullah Osmani (0700-272-523).  If you can, either bury the bird or seal it in a plastic bag and deliver it to the Department of Veterinary Services' Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Kabul's Darulaman neighborhood.  When disposing of a bird by either manner, wear gloves; do not touch the bird, its feathers, or its fluids with bare skin; and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
  • If you are working in an area where dead birds have been found, change your shoes when leaving the site to avoid possibly contaminating clean areas with the virus.
  • Keep birds away from your family members. Keep poultry away from wild birds and separate species.
  • Since Avian Influenza has been shown to be transmitted to domestic dogs and cats, avoid feeding sick or diseased dead bird carcasses to these animals.
  • Avoid hunting wild birds.
  • Eat well-cooked poultry products.  If you observe the following points, poultry products can be eaten without risks:
    • Cook poultry to 70 degrees centigrade.  Do not eat pink meat.
    • Make sure the yolk and white of the egg are hard.
    • Keep raw poultry and eggs away from other foods.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water -- especially after feeding birds, handling birds, cooking poultry products, touching bird droppings, bird fluids, or things contaminated with bird meat, fluids, or droppings.  Avoid touching your eyes and nose with hands contaminated by birds.
  • If you experience flu symptoms (runny nose, cough, fever, body aches) one or two days after coming in contact with a dead bird or large numbers of birds, see a doctor.  Be sure to mention that you have recently had contact with birds.  Also report your illness to the Ministry of Public Health's Dr. Bashir Noormal at 0700-281-134 and Dr. Jawad Mofleh at 0799-607-107. 

Please consult the following internet links for further information:

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