Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a viral infection that usually spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. There are four types of influenza viruses, types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease in humans. Influenza A viruses are established in many animal species. The emergence of an influenza A virus, with the ability to infect people and sustain human-to-human transmission, could cause an influenza pandemic.
Causes
A type of influenza A virus, often H5N1 in humans, causes bird flu. The virus can infect your upper respiratory tract and lungs and even spread to other parts of your body, like your brain. Humans can get bird flu if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, like spit (saliva), respiratory droplets or poop (feces). You can breathe it in from small dust particles in animal habitats or get it into your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching body fluids.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bird flu include:
- A type of influenza A virus, often H5N1 in humans, causes bird flu.
- The virus can infect your upper respiratory tract and lungs and even spread to other parts of your body, like your brain.
Prevention
Influenza viruses are impossible to eradicate, and zoonotic infections will continue to occur. To minimize public health risk, quality surveillance in both animal and human populations, thorough investigation of every human infection, and risk-based pandemic planning are essential. Public health and animal health authorities should work together and share information during investigations of human cases of zoonotic influenza. The public should minimize contact with animals in areas known to be affected by animal influenza viruses, including farms and settings where live animals may be sold or slaughtered, and avoid contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with animal faeces.
Treatment
Healthcare providers can diagnose avian flu with a throat or nose swab. They don’t routinely test for avian flu, so you have to let them know that you’ve been in contact with birds or other animals that could be infected. They’ll have to send the sample to a special lab to be tested. If identified early, you can treat bird flu with antiviral medications. A provider might prescribe antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Closing
Avian influenza is a viral infection that usually spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. The most common cause in humans is Influenza A(H5N1). It can cause severe respiratory symptoms. People who work with poultry, waterfowl (like geese and ducks), and livestock are most at risk. If you are concerned about your risk for avian influenza, talk to your provider about prevention and when you should seek care if you have symptoms.
