Ministry of Health issues health advice against COVID-19 and Avian Flu ahead of Khmer New Year

The Ministry of Health has issued a warning on the prevention of transmission of COVID-19, Avian Flu and the prevention of food and alcohol poisoning on the occasion of the upcoming Khmer New Year.

Professor Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health, called on all citizens to continue their personal vigilance to protect health from the transmission of COVID-19 – especially Omicron,

Warnings were also issued over Avian Flu and other diseases, as well as the dangers of  food and alcohol poisoning with citizens urged to implement the following measures:

– Strictly apply the 3 protective measures (wear a mask, wash hands frequently with soap or alcohol or gel and keep a personal safety distance of one and a half meters) and 3 do not (do not go to crowded places, do not go to a closed place.

– Wash your hands often with soap and water after contact with rodents, poultry or other contaminants, and adhere to good hygiene and food safety practices and cooking. Food should be well cooked before eating.

– Access to livestock should be avoided (without duty or direct contact with animals on livestock farms and poultry markets, or in slaughterhouses or in contact with any area contaminated or contaminated with animal or poultry manure). .

– Avoid crowding when buying food, buying live meat or poultry or other materials, avoid congestion or crowds in the market or store on the same day or on the day of the ceremony

– Keep raw and cooked foods separate.

– Cook food well, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood. When you buy ready-made food at the market or on the street, make sure it is clean and safe.

– Store food at a safe temperature (less than 5 degrees Celsius if cold and more than 60 degrees Celsius) or cook at the same time for a long time, leaving no food left over for a long time that may rot or mold.

– Use clean water and raw materials. If a bird flu virus is suspected with common symptoms, including fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius, coughing and shortness of breath, and a history of contact with sick or dead poultry 14 days before the onset of symptoms, please call  115 and rush to the nearest hospital.

– Livestock farms selling live poultry, must ensure strict monitoring and implementation of preventive measures to prevent the spread of bird flu in their communities.

– Check the location of the wine or wine production and the organizer or winemaker must ensure the implementation of the correct technical rules without mixing methanol into the wine.

– Absolutely do not buy or produce or consume wine that does not have a clear source and does not comply with proper technical standards or use methanol as a wine that causes poisoning to death.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health encourages the general public to follow the above simple advice to protect themselves and their families and wishes everyone good health and avoidance of COVID 19 and other diseases.