What is the bird flu?
Like humans and other species, birds are susceptible to the flu. There are 15 types of bird, or avian, influenza (flu).
The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7. The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans.
Migratory wildfowl, notably wild ducks, are natural carriers of the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection. The risk is that they pass it on to domestic birds, who are much more susceptible to the virus.
Humans catch the disease through close contact with live infected birds. Birds excrete the virus in their feces, which dry and can be inhaled.
How do you know if you’re infected?
Symptoms are similar to other types of flu - fever, malaise, sore throats and coughs.
People can also develop conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjuctiva of the eye.
Researchers are now concerned because scientists found the virus can affect all parts of the body, not just the lungs. This could mean that many illnesses, and even deaths, thought to have been caused by something else, may have been due to the bird flu virus.
Where is it now?
As of late April 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) had confirmed 204 cases of H5N1 in humans in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam, leading to 113 deaths.
After bird flu claimed its first human victim in Hong Kong in May 1997 the disease was not detected again until February 2003, again in Hong Kong. Since then it has spread through Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In one week in February 2006, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, France, Slovenia, India, Iran and Egypt confirmed their first cases of H5N1 in wild birds. In April 2005, a dead swan in Scotland was found to have the strain.
Visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ to track the spread of the virus.
Can it be passed from person to person?
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans.
Still, some rare cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported but is still a very rare event, and transmission has not continued beyond one person.
These cases have occurred in areas of the world where sanitation is poor and where people physically share the same living space with their domestic birds.
Recent human cases of bird flu infection that have occurred in Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Turkey have coincided with bird flu outbreaks in poultry. The majority of theses cases have been directly transmitted from bird to human,
No cases have been reported in the United States.
Is there a vaccine?
There is not yet a definitive vaccine, but prototypes which offer protection against the H5N1 strain are being produced.
Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu which are already available and being stockpiled may help limit symptoms and reduce the chances the disease will spread.
Scientists say it may also be helpful to have stocks of other drugs from the same family such as Relenza (zanamivir).
Can I continue to eat chicken?
Yes. Experts say avian flu is not a food-borne virus, so eating chicken is safe.
The only people thought to be at risk are those involved in the slaughter and preparation of meat that may be infected. However, the WHO recommends, to be absolutely safe all meat should be cooked to a temperature of at least 158°F.
Eggs should also be thoroughly cooked.
Can I get avian influenza from eating or preparing poultry or eggs?
You cannot get avian influenza from properly handled and cooked poultry and eggs.
There currently is no scientific evidence that people have been infected with bird flu by eating safely handled and properly cooked poultry or eggs.
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Even if poultry and eggs were to be contaminated with the virus, proper cooking would kill it. In fact, recent studies have shown that the cooking methods that are already recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for poultry and eggs to prevent other infections will destroy influenza viruses as well.
So to stay safe, the advice is the same for protecting against any infection from poultry:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs.
- Clean cutting boards and other utensils with soap and hot water to keep raw poultry from contaminating other foods.
- Use a food thermometer to make sure you cook poultry to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit Consumers may wish to cook poultry to a higher temperature for personal preference.
- Cook eggs until whites and yolks are firm.
The U.S. government carefully controls domestic and imported food products, and in 2004 issued a ban on importation of poultry from countries affected by avian influenza viruses, including the H5N1 strain. This ban still is in place.
Why are we communicating this information?
Although there are no known cases of this bird flu in the United States our plan is to keep you informed with the most up-to-date information possible and answer any possible questions that may arise.
Quick Links:
Download Common Questions and Answers About Bird Flu
View Facts About Bird Flu
CDC Web site on Avian Flu