Overview Bird flu is caused by a type of influenza virus that rarely infects humans. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Avian and other zoonotic influenza. World Health Organization.
Accessed Sept. Information on avian influenza. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stephenson I. Epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis of avian influenza. Bird flu avian flu. National Health Service. Safe minimum cooking temperatures. Health and Human Services. Treatment and prevention of avian influenza. Complications of bird flu Bird flu in humans can cause a range of serious and potentially fatal complications, including: eye infections pneumonia, including viral pneumonia acute respiratory distress inflammation of the brain and heart.
Tell your doctor if you have been to a country where there is bird flu If you have recently returned from a country that had an outbreak of bird flu and you get flu symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Influenza viruses can mutate Influenza viruses that infect animal species can mutate and infect humans. Australia is ready to respond to an outbreak Federal and state governments have been working together to plan their response to an outbreak of bird flu.
Treatment and vaccines for bird flu Several antiviral medications used to treat human influenza are also effective for bird flu. Advice for travellers and Australians living overseas People making short visits to affected countries do not need to have antiviral medications. Suggestions include: Avoid contact with wild or domesticated birds.
Stop young children from putting contaminated objects or their own fingers into their mouths. Eggshells may be contaminated with bird faeces. Wash eggs thoroughly before breaking and wash your hands thoroughly after handling eggs. Avoid foods that contain uncooked egg, such as mayonnaise. Wash hands, chopping boards and utensils thoroughly after handling raw poultry. Cook poultry at high temperatures. Exposure to birds, bird faeces or feathers is the most likely way for a human to catch bird flu.
See a doctor immediately if you have recently returned from a country that has had an outbreak of bird flu and you get flu symptoms. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all infections.
Related information. Support groups Avian influenza bird flu. Pandemic influenza - your questions answered. From other websites Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Department of Health and Ageing — Avian Influenza. Read more about notifiable diseases in animals from GOV. Read more about how to spot bird flu and what to do if you suspect it from GOV. Page last reviewed: 03 August Next review due: 03 August Bird flu.
But there are 4 strains that have caused concern in recent years: H5N1 since H7N9 since H5N6 since H5N8 since Although H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 don't infect people easily and aren't usually spread from human to human, several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths. How bird flu spreads to humans Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird dead or alive.
This includes: touching infected birds touching droppings or bedding killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of bird flu. Things you can do to prevent bird flu If you're visiting a foreign country that's had an outbreak you should: wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry use different utensils for cooked and raw meat make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot avoid contact with live birds and poultry What not to do: do not go near or touch bird droppings or sick or dead birds do not go to live animal markets or poultry farms do not bring any live birds or poultry back to the UK, including feathers do not eat undercooked or raw poultry or duck do not eat raw eggs There is no bird flu vaccine The seasonal flu vaccine doesn't protect against bird flu.
Symptoms of bird flu The main symptoms of bird flu can appear very quickly and include: a very high temperature or feeling hot or shivery aching muscles headache a cough or shortness of breath Other early symptoms may include: diarrhoea sickness stomach pain chest pain bleeding from the nose and gums conjunctivitis It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear after you've been infected.
When to seek medical advice Call a GP or NHS if you experience any symptoms of bird flu and have visited an area affected by bird flu in the past 10 days. Your symptoms can be checked over the phone. It can only be passed from human to human if it transforms into a human flu virus. This is rare. It is also possible to get the virus from undercooked meat or eggs from infected birds. Eggs should be cooked until the whites and the yolks are firm. Avian flu is commonly diagnosed during a visit to the doctor.
Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your symptoms. They will ask you about recent events that may have put you in contact with a contaminated bird or human.
Lab tests are needed to confirm the virus. Your doctor will take a sample of mucus from your nose or the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. That swab will be sent to the lab for testing. The best way to avoid the virus is to avoid direct contact with birds in high-risk areas. This includes when traveling to the countries most affected and visiting live-animal markets. Avoiding contact with a human known to have the virus also is a good way to avoid illness.
As with all viruses, regular hand washing is the best way to control your exposure. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. If possible, use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze. If you know you have the disease, do not expose others at work, school, and the community. Try to separate yourself from the rest of your family at home. People who work with live poultry should follow their work safety guidelines. Because Avian flu is rare, a vaccine to prevent it is not available to the public.
Some antiviral prescription medicines can lessen or shorten the symptoms of the virus.
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