Contact lens wearers who handle wild birds have been warned to thoroughly wash their hands and arms by a government agency after the arrival of bird flu in Western Europe.
The warning comes as UK experts prepare for the arrival of the avian flu, of which the H5N1 strain is deadly to humans. Currently the World Health Organisation believes there have been 91 deaths due to the strain worldwide, and this month seven countries in Europe, including France and Germany, have confirmed their first cases of H5N1 in wild birds.
This week Defra - the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - has published a list of tips for those who must handle wild birds.
'Wash hands, nails and forearms following any bird handling,' Defra states, 'and before eating, drinking, smoking, using the telephone, applying make-up or inserting contact lenses.'
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