UNAMA - Kabul, March 16, 2006

As the Government of Afghanistan awaited confirmation of whether the bird flu virus H5N1 had been found in Afghanistan, the Minister for Public Health, Syed Mohammad Amin Fatimi, reiterated the importance of preventative measures that people can take to contain any possible outbreak at a press conference held yesterday in Kabul.

1. Report sick or dead birds to your local Ministry of Agriculture authorities. To stop the virus spreading, it is critical that all sudden deaths in poultry or wild birds are reported to local Ministry of Agriculture authorities.
2. Keep birds away from your family members; keep poultry away from wild birds and separate species. Separating species helps prevent transmission, especially from wild birds
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water - especially after handling birds; cooking poultry products, after touching bird droppings or contaminated things with birds meat or droppings. Avoid touching your eyes and nose with contaminated hands.
4. Eat well-cooked poultry products
· No pink meat
· Make sure the yolk and white of the egg are hard
· Keep raw poultry and eggs away from other foods.

In observation of mentioned points poultry products can be eaten without any risks.
5. Avoid hunting wild birds.
6. Seek immediate treatment from your local clinic if you have fever after being in contact with sick or dead poultry.