Bird Flu
Overview
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a disease caused by a type of flu virus that affects birds. This virus can cause no symptoms, a mild illness, a serious illness, or even death in birds, depending on the specific type of virus. While bird flu rarely affects humans, health officials are concerned because the flu viruses that affect birds can change (mutate) and potentially start infecting people. If a bird flu virus mutates to infect humans and spread easily between people, it would be a completely new virus for humans. This means it could spread very quickly across the world.
Most often, people get bird flu from close contact with live, domesticated birds, such as those on farms or in backyard chicken coops. People can also get it from contact with wild birds or other animals. Fortunately, bird flu hasn't spread easily from person to person very often.
In humans, the flu is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs – your respiratory system. Bird flu symptoms in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu, ranging from mild to severe.
Symptoms
Bird flu can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe in people. These symptoms usually appear within a week of exposure, but sometimes it can take up to two weeks. You can get bird flu from direct contact with an infected bird, or by touching their bedding or droppings. Bird flu symptoms are similar to those of regular flu, making a test necessary to confirm infection.
Common symptoms of bird flu include:
- Fever
- Breathing problems
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Stomach upset and vomiting
- Diarrhea (loose stools)
Bird flu can lead to breathing problems more often than regular flu. During outbreaks, people with bird flu are more likely to need a machine to help them breathe.
If you've been near birds or their droppings, and you're feeling unwell, see a doctor right away. Even if you think your symptoms are mild, it's important to get checked. If your job, travel, or hobbies put you in contact with birds, pay attention to any symptoms you have. If you think you might have been exposed to bird flu and are experiencing any symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Causes
The flu, or influenza, is caused by viruses that invade the cells in your nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses are spread when tiny bits of them, like droplets of breath, saliva, or mucus, or even stool, are released into the air. This is how bird flu can be caught in humans. You can also get it if you touch something with the virus on it, then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Most people get bird flu from close, ongoing contact with live, domesticated poultry, like chickens or turkeys, often on farms or in backyard coops. Rarely, bird flu can be spread by contact with wild birds or other animals. However, common birds like crows or sparrows in parks and yards aren't usually a risk. They rarely carry the types of bird flu viruses that infect people or farm animals.
Bird flu can potentially be passed on through food, like undercooked eggs or poultry. In areas where bird flu has affected dairy cows, there might be a risk of catching it from raw dairy products. But dairy products that have been heated to kill germs, a process called pasteurization, are safe from bird flu.
Risk factors
Getting bird flu from birds is uncommon. Most often, people get bird flu from close contact with sick poultry (like chickens or ducks) or the areas where they live. Sick birds spread the virus through things like their coughs, saliva, or droppings. In very rare cases, people have gotten bird flu from contact with wild birds or other animals. Sometimes, people have even passed bird flu to other people.
Complications
Bird flu can lead to serious health problems in those infected. Some complications may worsen existing conditions or create entirely new ones, some of which can be life-threatening. For example, people with pre-existing lung conditions like asthma or cystic fibrosis may experience their symptoms getting worse. They might also develop ear or sinus infections.
A serious complication is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where the respiratory system stops working properly. Bird flu can also cause kidney and heart problems. In some cases, the infection can lead to bleeding in the lungs, a collapsed lung, or a secondary bacterial pneumonia infection. The body's response to infection, known as sepsis, can also be a consequence of bird flu. These are all potential risks associated with contracting bird flu.
Prevention
Protecting Yourself from Bird Flu
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a serious illness that can spread to humans. While getting bird flu from food is rare, taking precautions is important. Here's how to lower your risk:
At Work and During Travel:
If your job involves working with animals, follow all safety guidelines to protect yourself. If you're traveling to an area where bird flu is common, try to avoid poultry farms and bird markets. This helps reduce your exposure to the virus.
General Hygiene:
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after handling food or animals. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine every year is also crucial. While it won't prevent bird flu, it helps protect you from getting both the seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time, which can be more serious. Public health agencies are prepared to develop and distribute vaccines if a bird flu pandemic occurs.
Avoiding Contact:
Avoid contact with sick or potentially sick animals, both wild and domestic. Keep a safe distance from birds to prevent exposure to any germs they might carry. If you need to be near birds or animals, wear protective gear like eye protection, a face mask, and gloves. Flu viruses enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes, so covering these areas helps stop the virus from entering.
Food Safety:
Follow safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of getting bird flu from contaminated food. Thoroughly wash all surfaces that have touched raw poultry, meat, seafood, or eggs with hot, soapy water to prevent the spread of germs.
Proper Cooking:
Cook all poultry thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). Cook eggs until the whites and yolks are firm. For egg dishes like quiche, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Cook beef to 145°F (63°C) and let it rest for 3 minutes. Ground beef should be cooked to 160°F (71°C).
Dairy Safety:
Avoid raw dairy products. Pasteurized dairy milk and products are heated to kill germs. Check the Nutrition Facts label on dairy products in the U.S. to see if the milk is pasteurized. Raw milk isn't pasteurized and is more likely to cause illness.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.