Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, refers to a large group
of different influenza viruses that primarily affect birds. Wild birds
can carry the viruses, but usually do not get sick from them. However,
some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys can become
infected, and will often die from the virus. Each year, there is a flu
season for birds just as there is for humans and, as with people, some
forms of the flu are worse than others.
On rare occasions, these avian flu viruses can infect other species,
including pigs and humans. The vast majority of avian flu viruses do
not infect humans. H5N1, the strain of avian flu currently affecting
countries in the Africa, Europe and Asia, has the potential to develop
into a human pandemic, since it might ultimately adapt into a strain
that is spread easily from person to person. Once this adaptation occurs,
it will no longer be a bird virus--it will be a human influenza virus.
Why is public health watching the avian flu so closely?
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Can people catch avian flu viruses?
People usually do not become infected with avian flu viruses,
but a small number of highly pathogenic avian flu infections from H5N1
have been reported. Many of those infected have died. Most people who
were infected with high pathogenic avian flu had very close contact with
sick birds.
How does avian flu spread?
Infected birds spread particles of the virus from mouth and nose
fluids, and from their droppings. Birds that do not show signs of illness
from the disease can spread the virus.
People can be infected with the virus from contact with infected birds
or their droppings. This includes contact during plucking, handling or
playing with infected birds, or contact with surfaces contaminated with
droppings from infected birds.
What are the signs of avian flu in people?
Many of the human cases reported had typical flu symptoms, including
fever, cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. Some people developed
severe pneumonia and some died from respiratory failure.
Is there a test for avian flu?
There are tests for avian flu in birds. Those tests are being
used to monitor the spread of H5N1 around the world and to watch for N5N1
in birth in North America. No birds in North America have tested positive
for H5N1. There is no routine testing for avian flu in humans in Sonoma
County at this time, since there is no avian flu risk, but if a person
becomes ill after traveling to an area with known avian flu, the doctor
will try to find out whether he or she has been exposed to sick birds.
Is there a flu shot to prevent avian flu?
Not yet. Scientists in several countries are working together
to make an effective vaccine to prevent avian flu. Vaccines are made to
prevent certain viruses. The flu shot you got in the fall is a formula
that prevents the specific types of human flu that are circulating in
humans this year -- not avian flu.
What is the treatment for avian flu in people?
Just like most other infections caused by viruses, there is no
medicine to cure avian flu. If the illness is caught early, prescription
antiviral medicines that are used for the common flu may help shorten
the length and decrease the severity of the illness.
Is it safe to travel?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not warned
Americans to avoid travel to Asia or any other areas where there have
been outbreaks of avian flu. Travel recommendations are updated as needed
at www.cdc.gov/travel.
Travelers to countries with highly pathogenic avian flu should avoid live
or dead birds; live bird markets; poultry farms; and bird cages and poultry
cooking equipment.
For more information about Avian Influenza - Key
facts, Preventing the Flu and Getting Vaccinated and Questions and Answers:
Maine
Center for Disease Control (MeCDC)
World
Health Organization (WHO)
Center
for Disease Control (CDC)
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