The first outbreak of
human infection
by
avian influenza viruses
(H5N1) was observed in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then a large number of outbreaks have been reported in different parts of the world. In fact, the spread of avian influenza H5N1 in various species including humans has lead to a current pandemic threat.
Is there a
bird flu outbreak
in 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.
When was the last bird flu pandemic?
In 2014 , migrating birds brought a related virus, H5N8, from Asia to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, sparking an outbreak that ultimately caused U.S. farmers in 15 states to kill some 50 million chickens and turkeys and tally $3 billion in losses. This time, H5N1 appears to have arrived from Europe.
What caused the avian flu pandemic?
Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
Can humans catch avian flu?
Some strains of bird flu can pass from birds to people, but this is extremely rare. It usually requires close contact with an infected bird, so the risk to humans is generally considered very low. Human-to-human transmission of bird flu is very rare.
Can avian flu spread to humans?
Can people get avian influenza? Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect people Most cases of infection in people are believed to be the result of direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Two lineages – H5N1 and H7N9 – have been responsible for most human illnesses worldwide to date.
Can we put out bird feeders yet?
There is currently very low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds, and no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry , according to the National Wildlife Disease Program.
Can dogs get avian flu 2022?
Can dogs get the bird flu? While dogs can get the bird flu, they most likely won’t There have been reported cases of dogs being infected with the flu in Thailand in 2006 since it can be spread through an infected animal’s saliva, feces, and mucus. However, this situation is rare.
Can birds survive avian flu?
Chickens and turkeys are most severely affected by bird flu and generally will die if infected. Waterfowl may survive the disease but then are able to spread the virus Other animals may also get the flu.
What is the death rate of bird flu?
The official WHO estimate of the H5N1 case-fatality rate of around 60% is considered by some as an over-estimate due to several problems. It is unlikely that the real H5N1 case-fatality rate will be at the 0.1–0.4% level.
Is avian flu still active?
There are currently no human cases of this avian flu in the United States , but it could still have an impact.
Is avian flu airborne?
How does avian influenza spread? Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted directly from wild birds to domestic poultry or indirectly e.g. through contaminated material. The virus spreads directly from bird to bird via airborne transmission or indirectly, through faecal contamination of material, feathers or feed.
Is H5N1 a coronavirus?
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.
Can avian flu spread to dogs?
Yes, bird flu could potentially infect dogs or cats , but experts say the risk is extremely low. Experts confirm H5N1 infection in dogs and cats is extremely rare and has not been reported in the United States.
How long did bird flu last?
The last outbreak lasted about 6 months The bird flu outbreak that peaked in the late spring of 2015 was “the largest poultry health disaster in U.S. history,” the USDA says.
Is H1N1 a bird flu?
A: In the last decade we’ve really had two major circulating forms of virus that we’re particularly concerned about — that is the avian flu, or bird flu, and the swine H1N1 virus. They are both influenza A viruses, but in terms of their genetic makeup and how they behave they are very, very different infections.
Do hummingbirds carry avian flu?
Hall says her caution over feeders extends to hummingbird feeders, because like all birds, hummingbirds may contract this virus But she notes that very little is known in general about the incidence of HPAI in songbirds and hummingbirds.
What states are affected by avian flu?
Officials also confirmed new poultry outbreaks in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana , as well as more positive tests in wild birds. And the World Health Organization (WHO) provided updates on human avian flu cases in Colorado and China.
Can I let my chickens out yet UK 2022?
The mandatory housing measures which were in place across the UK since 29 November 2021 were lifted on Monday 2 May 2022. Poultry and other captive birds no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a Protection Zone Read more about this: Avian influenza housing measures lifted on 2 May.
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 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.
Sources
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/05/h5n1-avian-flu-now-affecting-more-two-thirds-states
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avian_influenza