What is bird flu?
Avian flu, also called bird flu, is flu that originally occurs in birds such as chickens, ducks, waterfowl, and other species. Outbreaks of various avian flu viruses have occurred on several continents including North America in the last five years. A serious new strain of avian flu, called H5N1, has been found in birds in Africa, Asia, and Europe, with the highest concentration of the disease in Southeast Asia. It is transmitted from bird to bird. As wild birds migrate, they spread the disease to wild and domesticated birds in other countries. The ongoing outbreak of avian flu H5N1 has resulted in the killing of millions of chickens and other domestic birds to control the spread of the disease.

How do people become infected with bird flu viruses?

Humans can become infected with H5N1 if they come into contact with an infected bird’s feces, blood, or nasal secretions. As of October, 2006, more than 250 human cases of H5N1 have been reported worldwide, most in Southeast Asia. Most of these cases resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. The cases have resulted in serious illness, with more than half of those infected dying. At this time, however, H5N1 is rarely transmitted from one human to another human.

How could bird flu turn into pandemic flu?

Currently, the H5N1 bird flu cannot spread easily from person to person. However, flu viruses change, and this virus could change in a way that makes it possible for people to easily pass it to each other. If that happens and people in many countries get sick, the virus could become a flu strain that causes a pandemic.

As long as humans continue to become infected with the H5N1 virus, there remains a risk that the virus will start to spread easily from human to human. This risk will remain as long as the virus continues to spread among birds – a situation that could occur for several years to come.

How might bird flu H5N1 reach the U.S.?

There are a number of ways that H5N1 could potentially reach the United States – wild bird migration, illegal smuggling of birds or poultry products, travel by infected people, or people traveling with virus-contaminated articles from regions where H5N1 already exists.  The U.S. government carefully controls domestic and imported food products, and in 2004 issued a ban on importing poultry from countries affected by avian influenza viruses, including the H5N1 strain. This ban is still in place. The U.S. government has also determined that there is a risk to importing pet birds from countries experiencing outbreaks of H5N1 influenza.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory disease (such as acute respiratory distress syndrome), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which specific virus subtype and strain caused the infection.

Treatment

How is bird flu in humans treated?
Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infections in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these medicines.

Will a vaccine be available for bird flu?

Although a vaccine against the H5N1 virus is under development in several countries, no vaccine is ready for commercial productions. Because the vaccine needs to closely match the avian virus, large-scale commercial production will not start until the new virus has emerged and a pandemic has been declared. It could then take up to 6 months before a vaccine is available and in only limited amounts at first. Current global production capacity falls far short of the demand expected during a pandemic. Research is under way to make vaccines more quickly.

Will a seasonal flu shot protect me from bird flu?

No. The flu shot available each year only protects you from that season’s flu. There is currently no vaccine for avian flu. Even if bird flu turned into an influenza pandemic, it could take at least 6 months to develop, test, and produce a vaccine. A seasonal flu shot is still a good idea, though, and should be part of everyone’s personal health plan.

Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?

Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of H5N1, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed following good hygienic practices and proper cooking, with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.   In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC/160oF in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny” yolks). Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, people who are preparing food should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products.

Caring for pets

We have a small flock of chickens. Is it safe to keep them?
Yes. In the United State there is no need at present to remove a flock of chickens because of concerns regarding avian influenza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors potential infection of poultry and poultry products by avian influenza viruses and other infectious disease agents.

Does cleaning a bird feeder pose a risk?

Activities such as bird watching and feeding garden birds are considered safe if simple common sense precautions are followed. These include not touching carcasses of wild birds, and washing hands with soap and water after filling or cleaning bird feeders. Both measures are advisable as birds can carry other potentially dangerous germs.

Are my pets safe from bird flu?

There is no current risk to pets in Washington or the rest of the country. Cats fed raw infected poultry in countries with H5N1 have developed avian flu, but pets have not been infected elsewhere. There is no evidence that cats can spread H5N1 to humans. There are a few precautions you should take with pet birds:

• Keep all pet birds inside to avoid exposure to wild or migratory birds.
• Always wash your hands after handling birds or having contact with bird waste.
• If you are buying a new pet bird – especially an exotic type – be sure it was born and raised locally. It is illegal to import birds from regions that are infected with avian flu because these birds can potentially introduce avian flu to a new area.
  

Dead birds

What should I do about dead birds I see?
Because the H5N1 bird flu virus is more likely to be carried by waterfowl or shorebirds than by other species, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is interested in hearing about reports of single as well as multiple dead birds of these species. Reports should be directed to (800)606-8768. WDFW will then determine if an investigation is necessary. WDFW may not have a biologist immediately available and may rely on local health to collect and ship the birds, if local health is able and willing to assist. Although H5N1 has not been detected in birds in the region to date (or any where in the USA), never touch any wild birds, alive or dead, with your bare hands.

Personal protection guidelines around wild birds and other wildlife:

• Avoid bare-handed contact with dead birds. Use a shovel or rubber gloves while handling dead birds for testing or disposal. If rubber gloves are not available, use double plastic bags to protect hands. If disposing of the bird, it should be wrapped in double plastic bags and placed in the garbage. Always wash hands and equipment thoroughly following collection and or disposal of any dead animal or animal product.
• Thoroughly washing hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand produces if the hands are not visibly soiled) is a very effective method for inactivating influenza viruses, including bird flu viruses. These viruses are also inactivated with many common disinfectants such as detergents, 10% household bleach, alcohol, or other commercial disinfectants.
• Observe wildlife, including wild birds from a distance. Avoid touching wildlife. If there is contact with wildlife do not rub eyes, eat, drink or smoke before washing hands as described above.
• Do not pick up diseased or dead wildlife. Contact your state, tribal, or federal natural resource agency if a sick or dead animal is found.
  

What animals will be infected with bird flu H5N1?

In addition to humans and birds, we know that pigs, tigers, leopards, ferrets, and household cats can be infected with avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses. H5N1 infection in a stone marten (a weasel-like animal) and a mink have also been reported. It’s possible that other mammals may be susceptible to H5N1 infection as well.

Hunters should follow routine precautions when handling game:

• Do not handle or eat sick game.
• Wear rubber gloves or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game and thoroughly wash hands and all knives, equipment, and surfaces that come in contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling game.

All game should be thoroughly cooked (well done or 70°C/160°F ).