Although avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of
human infection
with these viruses Illness in humans from bird flu virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or
mild illness
to severe disease that resulted in death.
Should we worry about bird flu?
Reports of a human infection with H3N8 bird flu in China and now the US 1 are reminders that avian influenza remains an ongoing threat We spoke to Professor Ian Barr and Dr Michelle Wille about the current level of risk it poses, and what can be done to mitigate it.
What is the most dangerous bird flu?
An epizootic of the influenza strain called H5N1 is currently wreaking havoc among birds in parts of Asia and Africa. This strain of H5N1 is incredibly infectious and incredibly deadly to
domestic poultry
. It is the worst bird flu in recorded history.
Is there a vaccine for bird flu?
While avian flu vaccines are currently available , they are not being used on a large scale on poultry farms because this hinders the ability to conduct surveillance testing, which helps detect the virus in unvaccinated flocks and limit the spread of the disease.
Can bird flu be cured?
It’s impossible to eliminate bird flu from wild birds The best approaches to bird flu currently include working to identify and eliminate outbreaks among domestic birds and to continue work on a vaccine that will be effective against bird flu.
How did bird flu end?
nothing happened The virus continued to kill chickens and to occasionally infect and sometimes kill people. But as the years passed, the number of human H5N1 cases subsided. There has not been a single H5N1 human infection detected since February 2017.
Which states are affected by bird flu?
Federal officials today announced that avian flu has struck flocks in five more states— Massachusetts, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wyoming —expanding outbreak activity westward and to nearly half of US states.
Is bird flu still around 2022?
Learn about 2022 detections of HPAI in Commercial and Backyard Flocks. Wild birds can be infected with HPAI and show no signs of illness They can carry the disease to new areas when migrating, potentially exposing domestic poultry to the virus.
Can I get bird flu from eggs?
It is not a blood-borne pathogen; therefore, handling eggs poses a low risk for infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations says that there is no evidence that anyone has been infected with the avian flu by eating properly cooked eggs Cooking eggs to 160°F (71°C) will kill the avian flu virus.
Can you get bird flu from eating chicken?
You cannot get bird flu from eating fully cooked chicken , turkey, or duck, because heat kills the virus. In a few cases, bird flu was passed from one person to another person, not from a bird to a person. But this was very rare.
Is bird flu an airborne disease?
Airborne transmission of bird flu from wild birds to poultry is negligible , says new research. New research from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) has demonstrated that the risk of airborne transmission of the hi-path avian influenza virus from infected wild waterfowl to poultry is negligible.
How do I know if my bird has bird flu?
Signs of Avian Flu Illness in Birds Sudden death; lack of energy, appetite and coordination; purple discoloration and/or swelling of various body parts; diarrhea; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; and reduced egg production and/or abnormal eggs.
Is avian flu a coronavirus?
Abstract. Avian influenza A (H5N1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus are infections that cause a severe viral pneumonia leading to acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome and carry a high case-fatality rate.
Do crows carry diseases?
Large, highly concentrated populations of crows can easily spread disease — not only among their own species, but quite possibly to humans, either via livestock, or directly.
Do crows carry bird flu?
Most common songbirds or other birds found in the yard, like cardinals, robins, sparrows, blue jays, crows or pigeons, do not get infected with the bird flu viruses that can be dangerous to poultry or possibly spread to people.
What happens with bird flu?
Bird flu symptoms in people can vary. The illness could start out with flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches But it may worsen to include: Gut problems: Nausea, belly pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Why is flu dangerous?
Flu Complications Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse.
How do you stay safe from bird flu?
Do not touch dead or sick chickens, ducks, or other birds Do not go to bird farms and live bird markets. Do not touch surfaces that have bird feces, blood, or other body fluids on them. Only eat meat and other foods from birds, like eggs and poultry blood, if it is fully cooked.
How can you protect yourself from bird flu?
Do not visit poultry farms, bird markets and other places where live poultry are raised, kept, or sold, if possible Do not eat raw or undercooked poultry products and wash your hands after touching uncooked poultry. Practice good hygiene and cleanliness. Visit a doctor if you become sick during or after travel.
Can dogs catch bird flu?
A: Like cats, dogs are not usually susceptible to avian influenza (AI) viruses ; however, one study found that dogs experimentally infected with Guangdong lineage H5N1 HPAI were susceptible. In this study, all dogs were found to have replicating virus.
Which medicine is best for bird flu?
Health officials recommend the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or, if oseltamivir can’t be used, zanamivir (Relenza) These drugs must be taken within two days after the appearance of symptoms.
How long do bird flu symptoms last?
Living with avian flu may mean a week or two of living with mild symptoms that get better over time. Rest and fluids will help.
How is bird flu transmitted?
The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.
Does bird flu still exist?
CDC has been monitoring for illness among people exposed to H5N1 virus-infected birds since these outbreaks were detected in U.S. wild birds and poultry in late 2021 and into 2022. To date, H5N1 viruses have been found in U.S. commercial and backyard birds in 29 states and in wild birds in 34 states.
Why are chickens being killed?
The culling at Rembrandt comes amid a spread of bird flu in the U.S. that has farms grappling with ways to quickly kill and dispose of millions of chickens and turkeys to limit the spread of disease More than 24 million birds have been killed in the past two months an effort to contain outbreaks.
What kind of birds carry bird flu?
Waterfowl, such as swans, ducks, and geese , are the type of birds that are most likely to be infected with avian influenza. Although wild backyard birds and pigeons are unlikely to get infected with avian influenza, it is always best to minimize contact with fecal material.
Is it safe to feed birds now?
Officials are warning against feeding wild birds right now And if enough virus is inhaled or makes its way into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, human bird flu infections can occur as well. “As a general precaution, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible.
Was there a pandemic in 2005?
The global spread of (highly pathogenic) H5N1 in birds is considered a significant pandemic threat While prior H5N1 strains have been known, they were significantly different from the current H5N1 strain on a genetic level, making the global spread of this new strain unprecedented.
WHO H5N1 human cases?
WHO risk assessment. Since 2003 to 31 March 2022, a total of 864 cases and 456 deaths of influenza A(H5N1) human infection have been reported worldwide from 18 countries, however, this is the first reported case in the United States of America.
What’s the Ebola death rate?
The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50% Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.
Does cooking destroy bird flu?
The heat of normal cooking destroys the virus that causes avian influenza Microorganisms of all kinds are destroyed when the product reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are chicken eggs safe to eat?
Never eat raw eggs Outbreaks for Salmonella illnesses have been associated with undercooked egg whites and yolks. To avoid illness, cook eggs until yolks are firm. Cook foods containing eggs to 160 degrees F as measured by a food thermometer.
Is it safe to eat eggs right now?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is safe to eat poultry and eggs when they are properly handled and thoroughly cooked.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bird-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20368455
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-reports-human-case-h10n3-bird-flu-2021-06-01/
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/bird-flu-how-worried-should-we-be