Travel advice

Current advice

There are no travel restrictions for persons travelling to affected countries worldwide. However, previously recommended advice should continue to be exercised by those who are travelling to these regions:

• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces
• Do not eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK
• Do not pick up or touch dead or dying birds
• Exercise good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing

 

Advice for travellers to affected zones in EU countries where wild or domestic birds or animals have been found to be infected with H5N1.

In countries where small numbers of wild birds have been confirmed to have H5N1 infection, special veterinary emergency rules will apply, usually within 3km or 10km protection zones.  People travelling to these zones should follow the general advice for avoiding contact with dead or diseased birds and poultry and also comply with any local hygiene enforcement restrictions and regulations for the period they are imposed.  These special veterinary measures are generally relaxed when control and prevention measures have been successfully applied in the area.

There are no travel restrictions to the affected zones. People should continue to travel as usual.

 

For further travel advice please consult the National Travel Health Network Centre (NaTHNaC) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website

 

Useful links:

• Frequently asked questions for those travelling to H5N1 infected areas
• Algorithm for the management of returning travellers from countries affected by avian influenza presenting with febrile respiratory illness: recognition, investigation and initial management
• Defra advice

Last reviewed: 4 February 2008