Brussels, 17/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The gradual arrival of bird flu in Europe led the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to send further recommendations to the national authorities on 16 February, with a view to keeping the public informed. The ECDC calls upon the competent authorities to make the public aware of what to do, in particular: -do not touch sick or dead birds and immediately alert the veterinary authorities; -warn children of the risks from touching dead birds and encourage them not to play with poultry; -wash hands with soap several times a day, particularly before eating. The ECDC also reiterates the precaution measures to be taken by those working in the poultry sector and lists those to be observed by families possessing domestic poultry (these recommendations can be consulted at the following website: http://www.ecdc.eu.int ).