Dr Jenny L​​ow​, Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth​ group shares who is at risk of getting H7N9 Avian flu and 6 tips to protect yourself from getting the H7N9 Avian flu​​.

​Who are most at risk of getting H7N9 avian flu?

The following people are at greater risk of getting infected with the H7N9 avian flu:

• Elderly people, aged 65 and above
• Young children below 5 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease and chronic lung disease
• Poultry farm workers
• Those who eat raw eggs and undercooked po​​ultry meat

6 tips to prevent ​​H7N9​​ flu

Travellers to parts of China affected by the H7N9 avian flu should heed the following cautionary tips:

1. Do not touch birds and poultry
2. Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs
3. Observe good personal hygiene such as washing your hands with soap and water before preparing food and after visiting the toilet, and do not touch your eyes, face or mouth with your hands
4. Avoid crowded places and contact with people who have fever and flu
5. Avoid visits to poultry farms and live bird or poultry wet markets
6. See a doctor immediately if you feel sick upon returning from overseas, particularly China.

As scientists rush to develop a new vaccine for the avian influenza A (H7N9), infected patients are treated with normal influenza anti-viral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza.

Ref: S13