Avian
Influenza Facts
What is avian influenza (bird
flu)?
How does bird flu spread?
What is the risk to humans
from bird flu?
What are the symptoms of bird flu in people?
What treatment is available for bird flu?
Is there a vaccine that can protect from the bird
flu?
Is it safe to eat chicken or turkey?
What is the H5N1 bird flu that has been reported in Asia?
What is the risk from the H5N1
outbreak in Asia?
Controlling the Spread of Disease
What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Bird flu is an infection caused by a virus that occurs naturally among birds.
Wild birds usually do not become sick, but the virus is very contagious among
birds and can make some domesticated birds (including chickens, ducks, and
turkeys) very sick and kill them.
How
does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.
Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated
excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed
that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with
infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
What is the risk to humans
from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low because the viruses usually don’t infect
humans. During an outbreak of bird flu among domestic chicken, ducks, or
turkeys, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds
or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds.
The current outbreak of bird flu (H5N1) in poultry in Asia is an example of an
outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations,
people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces and
should be careful when handling and cooking poultry.
What
are the symptoms of bird flu in people?
The symptoms in people range from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore
throat and muscle aches), to eye infections, pneumonia, shortness of breath,
acute respiratory distress, and other severe and life-threatening complications.
What
treatment is available for bird flu?
There is no proven treatment for bird flu in people but studies suggest that
prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses would work in preventing
bird flu infection in humans. Individuals who have survived this disease were
very ill and required intensive care in the hospital. Depending on how severe
the symptoms are; treatment may include hospitalization, supportive care and the
use of anti-virals.
Is
there a vaccine that can protect from the bird flu?
There currently is no vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is
being seen in Asia. Vaccine development efforts are underway.
Is
it safe to eat chicken or turkey?
Yes – however, ensure your food is thoroughly cooked.
What
is the H5N1 bird flu that has been reported in Asia?
Outbreaks of H5N1 occurred in poultry in eight countries in Asia in late 2003
and early 2004. More than 100 million birds either died from the disease or
were killed to try to control the outbreak. In June 2004, new outbreaks of H5N1
in poultry were reported by several countries in Asia.
What is the risk from the H5N1
outbreak in Asia?
Human infections of H5N1 have been reported in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The death rate for these reported cases has been about 50%. Most of these cases
occurred from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, a
few cases of person to person spread of H5N1 may have occurred.
So
far, person to person spread of H5N1 has been rare. However, all influenza
viruses have the ability to change and scientists are concerned that this virus
could one day be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to
another. If the H5N1 virus were able to infect people and spread easily from
per to person, and “influenza pandemic” (worldwide outbreak of disease) could
begin.
Controlling
the Spread of Disease
Some age-old advice still holds true – wash your hands frequently and cover your
mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If you aren’t
feeling well, avoid close contact with others; avoid public gatherings in order
to avoid spreading illness.
Travelers to countries in
For More
Information:
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
World Health
Organization
