Should people buy masks to protect themselves from avian influenza?
No, the Western Australian Department of Health does not recommend masks for protection against avian influenza in Australia. As stated above, no avian influenza virus outbreaks have been detected in Australia since 1997 and so the risk of exposure to H5N1 or other avian influenza viruses is currently minimal. However, in the event of an influenza pandemic, masks would be recommended to reduce person-to-person spread.
