What is avian or bird flu?
- Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection spread from bird to bird.
- There are 2 types of bird flu. These are the H5N1 (since 1997) and H7N9 (since 2013) viruses.
- Bird flu affects many species of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, wild and pet birds
- Birds do not always get sick from infection
- There is no natural immunity from bird flu in humans. Your body cannot develop antibodies, and, typically
- These viruses don't infect people easily and are usually not transmitted from human to human.
- About 60% of people infected with the virus died from their illness.
How bird flu spreads to humans
-Bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive). For example:
Inhaling or being in contact with dried dust from the droppings or bedding of infected birds
Culling, slaughtering, butchering or preparing infected poultry for cooking
How bird flu spreads
- The H5N1 bird flu virus is spread when wild birds pass the virus along to birds that are being raised for human consumption
- Unlike other types of flu, H5N1 usually does not spread between people
- H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl.
- The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with an infected birds feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.
Can it spread between people?
- There have been isolated cases of bird flu spreading between people, but this is very rare.
- In the few, the infection most often spread after close prolonged contact between an infected person and an uninfected person.
Signs and Symptoms
-A sudden high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
-Bleeding from the nose and gums
-A dry, chesty cough -Headache
-Tiredness -Chills
-Aching muscles -Limb or joint pain
-Sore throat -Diarrhea or stomach upset
-Sneezing -Runny or blocked nose
-Loss of appetite -insomnia
-Vomiting
Complications
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory failure
- Shock
- Altered mental state
- Seizures
- Failure of multiple organs (e.g. kidney failure)
- Death
Prevention
• Avoid contact with surfaces that are contaminated with bird droppings
• Don't pick up or touch birds (dead or alive)
• Don't eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Always practice good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly
General precautions
• Wash your hands regularly
• Turn away from other people and cover your mouth with tissues when you cough or sneeze
• Dispose of tissues immediately after use and wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Avoid public places if you are ill
• Make sure that you maintain a good level of general health and that you have any recommended vaccinations
Travel
• Don't go to live animal markets or poultry farms.
• Don't go near bird droppings or dead birds.
• Don't bring live birds or poultry products back with you, including feathers.
BIRD FLU VACCINATION
- A vaccine that offers protection against the H5N1 bird flu are limited, so it's unlikely to be widely available unless there is a serious outbreak.
- The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against the strains of bird flu that can affect humans.