H5 Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know

Bird flu, or avian flu, is a naturally occurring illness caused by Type A influenza viruses. These viruses primarily circulate among wild birds, such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds. The current strain causing concern is known as H5N1 and is highly contagious among birds. Wild birds can easily transmit the virus to domestic poultry, such as chickens and ducks. Other animals have also become infected with H5N1, including outbreaks in dairy cattle as well as occasional infection in other mammals.

Can Humans Get Bird Flu?

The current public health risk is low. While human cases are rare, it is possible to contract bird flu, typically through close contact with infected birds or other animals. Transmission can occur through various means, such as inhaling viral particles in the air or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Bird flu virus has also been found in the mucous, saliva, stool, or milk (in dairy cows) of infected animals. No person-to-person spread of the virus has been reported in this outbreak. Although limited person-to-person spread has occurred in the past in other countries with this virus, such as spread to 1 or 2 close household contacts. The bird flu virus may mutate over time and become better at spreading between people, though we do not know if this will happen.

Symptoms and Precautions

Symptoms of bird flu in humans may range from mild symptoms to severe illness, resulting in death. Most of the human cases of bird flu in the United States have been mild. Symptoms of bird flu are similar to those of the seasonal flu and may include fever, chills, headache, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, or less commonly, nausea or vomiting. Eye redness has been a common symptom among recent U.S. cases. People with symptoms and a recent exposure to an infected (or suspected to be infected) bird, dairy cattle, or other animal in the last 10 days should notify a healthcare provider for testing.

To minimize the risk of exposure to bird flu, follow these preventive measures recommended by the CDC:

• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals, including wild birds.
• Do not touch surfaces contaminated with mucous, saliva, or stool from birds, dairy cattle, or other animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu
• Do not touch or consume raw (unpasteurized) milk or other dairy products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu
• Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to a safe internal temperature
• Whole beef cuts: 145°F
• Ground beef: 160°F
• Poultry: 165°F
• Eggs: Cook until yolk and white are firm, or if they are part of a casserole cook to 165°F

Is There a Vaccine Available Against Bird Flu?

There is currently no commercially available vaccine against bird flu. While the seasonal flu vaccine is strongly recommended to protect against seasonal flu, it is not designed to protect against bird flu viruses. Bird flu candidate vaccines have been developed which provide good protection against the currently circulating virus. These candidate vaccines could be used to produce a vaccine for people, if needed.