How to prevent avian influenza H7N9

Aug 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, avian influenza H7N9 refers to avian influenza of the H7N9 strain, which is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with live poultry and contaminated environments, maintaining dietary hygiene, practicing good personal hygiene, strengthening immunity, and ensuring environmental cleanliness. The general population does not need to panic excessively.

Generally speaking, avian influenza H7N9 refers to H7N9 avian influenza, which is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with live poultry and contaminated environments, paying attention to food hygiene, enhancing personal hygiene, boosting immunity, and maintaining environmental cleanliness. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Avoid contact with live poultry and contaminated environments: The H7N9 virus is mainly transmitted through birds. People should stay away from live poultry markets, farms, and other such locations, and avoid direct contact with live birds, sick or dead poultry, and their secretions and excretions. Individuals working in poultry farming, slaughtering, processing, and related fields should wear protective masks, gloves, and workwear.

2. Pay attention to food hygiene: When consuming poultry products such as chicken, duck meat, and eggs, ensure they are thoroughly cooked. Avoid eating raw or undercooked poultry meat, eggs, or related products, such as soft-boiled eggs or drunken chicken. Knives and cutting boards used for handling raw poultry meat and cooked food must be strictly separated to prevent cross-contamination. Raw poultry meat should be stored separately from other foods.

3. Enhance personal hygiene: Develop the habit of washing hands frequently. After contact with poultry or poultry products, before meals, after using the toilet, and after handling garbage, wash hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. If washing facilities are unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used.

4. Boost immunity: Maintain regular作息, avoid staying up late or overexertion, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep daily. Maintain a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins to enhance the body's resistance. Engage in moderate outdoor exercise for at least 150 minutes per week to strengthen the body's defenses against viruses.

5. Maintain environmental cleanliness: Ensure proper ventilation at home and in workplaces. Open windows for ventilation two to three times daily, each time for more than 30 minutes, to reduce indoor virus concentration. If there has been contact with poultry at home, surfaces such as floors and countertops can be cleaned and disinfected using chlorine-containing disinfectants.

Although H7N9 avian influenza is contagious, the aforementioned targeted preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection. The general population need not panic excessively. The key is to minimize unnecessary contact with poultry, maintain personal hygiene, and ensure food safety.