Pigeon Post

You might want to know that I've just received some spam from Carlos Fuentes, one of the best-known living novelists and essayists in the Hispanic world and a stern critic of American cultural and economic imperialism. Apparently he has some Rolex watches to offload, if you're interested.

Local Brits may have greater concerns, such as whether they should eat at Kentucky Fried Tikus because of Avian Flu. Well, nil desperandum, as we used to say in Sarf London. According to the attachment to another email I've received:

You should:

• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces
• Not eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK

To date, most human cases are thought to have acquired their infection following exposure to dead or diseased birds. Evidence suggest that particularly risky exposure occurs during the slaughter, de-feathering, and preparation of poultry for cooking.

You should not eat dishes made with fresh duck blood or any other raw or inadequately cooked poultry products. (Yuk! I'm glad I'm a vegetarian.) Proper cooking destroys the avian influenza virus. Poultry should be cooked until all parts reach an internal temperature of 70°C. No cases of avian influenza have been linked to the consumption of thoroughly cooked poultry and egg products.

So dining at Col. Sanders' emporia is OK if you're into that kind of junk food.

This is the email.

Dear Wardens and Registered British Community

AVIAN INFLUENZA

British Embassy staff in Indonesia, as in other affected countries, are watching the situation closely and liaising with the World Health Organisation and monitoring their advice.

At present, we advise against visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where it is possible to come into close contact with wild or caged birds; and ensure poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked.

We have no information at present to suggest that the authorities or airlines plan to block travel, but we are monitoring the situation and will issue further travel advice as necessary. Please also continue to monitor our travel advice on the FCO travel advice website.

Further information is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Factsheet.

You may wish to look at the Department of Health's leaflet on Pandemic Flu at the following link.

The latest information, including the number of confirmed human fatalities, the countries affected, prevention and treatment measures and other Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the following websites:

World Health Organisation
Health Protection Agency
National Travel Health Network and Centre

Yours sincerely,

Consular Section
British Consulate General
Jakarta
Tel: +(62 21) 319 01314
Fax: +(62 21) 316 0858
Email

 

postID=112747228596025915

¶ 6:00 pm