Ten things you should know about avian flu
1. What is avian flu?
Avian influenza (also known as avian flu or bird flu) is a naturally occurring viral infection of birds. There are many types of avian influenza viruses. One particular type of avian flu, H5N1, has been spreading rapidly in birds in parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. A small number of human cases of H5N1 have been reported. Avian influenza viruses of any type rarely cause disease in humans.
2. What is the difference between avian and human flu?
Human flu is influenza in humans. Human flu passes from person to person through respiratory secretions and tends to occur in seasonal outbreaks. Avian spreads among birds. Humans who have certain types of exposure to infected birds can sometimes become infected with avian influenza viruses. When this happens, the flu would not generally spread to other humans, but the disease in the infected person may be very serious.
3. Can avian flu make me sick?
Avian flu viruses have only been known to infect people who have had a lot of direct contact with the respiratory secretions or droppings of infected birds. There have only been a small number of human cases of H5N1 infection, even though billions of people live in areas where H5N1 has been identified in birds. The spread of the H5N1 virus from person to person is very rare and has only happened when someone has had prolonged, unprotected exposure to the respiratory secretions of a person infected with the virus. Transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
4. Has H5N1 avian flu been found in Massachusetts?
No. H5N1 avian flu has not been found anywhere in the United States.
5. How can I protect myself against the H5N1 avian flu?
If H5N1 avian flu is identified in the United States, the risk of human infection will likely be greater from contact with infected domestic poultry than from contact with wild birds. To protect yourself from avian influenza in general, avoid unnecessary contact with live poultry or wild birds. The best way to protect yourself from all flu viruses is to practice good hand hygiene.
6. Can I be vaccinated against the H5N1 avian flu?
No. At this time there is no vaccine available for this particular type of influenza.
7. I feel sick. Can I be tested for the H5N1 avian flu?
If you are sick, talk with your health care provider who will decide what type of testing is right for you. At this time, testing for H5N1 avian flu would not be done except in cases where a person had traveled to an area of the world heavily affected by H5N1 and had close exposure to H5N1-infected birds or people.
8. Is it OK to travel to an area affected by Avian flu?
Yes. The CDC does not recommend any travel restrictions to affected countries at this time. However, the CDC currently advises that travelers to countries with known outbreaks of H5N1 influenza avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals.
9. Is it safe to eat chicken, other poultry, and eggs?
Yes. It is safe to continue eating poultry and eggs. There have been no documented cases of avian influenza in humans caused by eating properly cooked poultry products. Additionally, no poultry or poultry products from countries affected by the H5N1 avian flu are legally allowed to enter the United States.
10. Are ponds with ducks and geese safe for swimming?
Yes. Currently, there is no evidence of the H5N1 avian flu in the United States.
You should always wash your hands after fishing and wash your hands and take a shower after swimming or playing in the water. Also, since birds may carry a variety of bacteria, viruses, or parasites in their droppings, you should avoid exposure to bird droppings if possible.
(This information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game is accurate as of 5/30/2006.)
IMPORTANT LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization
Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Biosecurity and Regulatory Services