CONCERN over a human epidemic of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) is growing following the death of a cat with the virus in Germany and poultry deaths in south eastern France.

However the Foreign and Commonwealth Office says travellers should not be too worried for the present at least, even though the airline industry and travel governing bodies have been drawing up contingency plans to cope with a possible epidemic.

The risks to humans from avian flu are low, says FCO, but it is possible that current outbreaks in birds could at some point develop into a human flu pandemic which would be much more serious.

The risk of avian flu to British nationals visiting countries affected by avian flu is believed to be very low says the FCO, and therefore there is no reason not to travel to these countries.

However, all those visiting or living in countries affected by avian flu should follow sensible precautions.

Experts began monitoring a form of avian influenza - known as the highly-pathogenic H5N1 (or A/H5N1) strain - eight years ago.

Since the end of 2003, there have been a series of outbreaks amongst poultry and wild birds, starting in South-East Asia. It has since moved to various other countries, the closest to home being Turkey, North Cyprus, Germany and France.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) has issued an alert phase three, which means that there have been human infections of the virus, but very rare instances of human to human spread as Avian influenza is largely a disease of birds.

As of February 13, 169 people have caught the disease and of these 91 have died.

Human cases have been confirmed in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Iraq and Turkey. Almost all are thought to have caught the disease directly from infected poultry. Despite the spread of AI to Eastern Europe and Africa, the perceived threat of a human flu pandemic remains the same, as the virus has not shown an ability to pass easily between people.

If you plan on travelling to areas where outbreaks have been reported, you may wish to take the following precautions: Avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you might come into contact with wild, domestic or caged birds. Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces or fluids. Avoid eating or handling poultry, egg or duck dishes, if any of these are undercooked or raw. Wash hands regularly and do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK .

Meanwhile the World Health Organisation (UNWTO) held its first series of Bird Flu briefings recently in Berlin. It covered preparation for an epidemic and response to one.

UNWTO's Secretary General's Special Advisor, Geoffrey Lipman said: "The issue of avian influenza and the possibility of mutation of the virus to a human influenza is out there now and we should focus on it in a measured and rational way.

"So far, its impact on tourism has been minimal, but we need to prepare for all eventualities. There is a need for efficient sharing of information and preparation. Tourism is a vast dynamic global network. We have to play our part in the international community response while minimizing the disruption to travel."

The airline industry is also gearing up for a human outbreak. In a recent statement, ABTA said: "In the UK, we have had just the one case - that of a dead parrot and health chiefs did not find it a laughing matter. But cases over the Channel in France and elsewhere amongst our European cousins have finally got the Government to act.

It says airlines are keeping fairly tight-lipped on their plans, but Virgin Atlantic has said it has plans drawn up .