U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma, released the following Warden Message on March 16:

This Warden Message is to inform American citizens that the Burmese Government has reported a new avian influenza outbreak among birds in Rangoon District following the outbreaks reported in the Embassy's March 7 Warden Message. No human infections have been reported.

 

The recent outbreak occurred March 10-11 when over 500 dead birds were found in Mingaladon, North Okkalarpa, and Hlaing Thaya townships. Testing by Burma's Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department has confirmed that the birds died of avian influenza. Similar to the previous outbreaks, Burmese officials culled the remaining poultry at all locations. The Embassy continues to work closely with Burmese authorities and locally-based international health organizations to monitor events and will share information with the American Community as it becomes available.

We remind all American citizens of previous recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You should avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds, and avoid visiting commercial or backyard poultry farms and live poultry markets. You can also minimize risk by practicing safe handling procedures for all poultry products, including thoroughly cooking food and decontaminating cutting boards and kitchen utensils. Well-cooked eggs and poultry products are safe to consume (temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius kill the virus). You should also be cautious about consuming salad dressings and sauces that contain raw egg products.

Current information about avian influenza A (H5N1) and pandemic influenza can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
http://www.who.int
http://www.pandemicflu.gov