How can you get avian flu

It has also been passed from birds to humans who are in close contact with poultry or other birds. There is no clear evidence that the virus can be transmitted from human to human. However this may have happened in rare cases, where a person has become ill after caring for a sick family member.

Scientists are concerned that the bird flu virus may combine with a human flu virus and mutate, which may make transmission between humans possible.

The strain of bird flu presently affecting Asia is the H5N1 strain. There have been several bird flu outbreaks in Australia among commercial flocks of birds, all of which have been contained and eradicated.

Water birds such as wild ducks are believed to be the carriers of all avian influenza type A viruses. Migratory birds infected with the virus could potentially spread the bird flu to any of the countries they visit. The avian influenza virus can more frequently kill domesticated birds, such as chickens and turkeys. Symptoms in birds differ according to the species but can include diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, swollen head and death.

A sick bird sheds the virus in its feathers, mucous, saliva and faeces. Humans who have close contact with sick birds are at risk of infection with bird flu. For example a person may handle a sick bird, contaminate their hands with chicken faeces, and forget to wash their hands before eating. They will then ingest the infected bird faeces. This is the most common way for a human to catch the bird flu.

The virus can also survive in raw poultry meat but is destroyed during normal cooking. There is no evidence that the current circulating H5N1 strain of bird flu can be spread easily from human to human.

Although there have been too few human cases to determine the exact incubation period of bird flu, it would be expected to be from three to 10 days. The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of regular influenza and include:.

If you have recently returned from a country that had an outbreak of bird flu and you get flu symptoms, see your doctor immediately. When making the appointment, tell the clinic staff about your travel including any visits to markets, farms or anywhere else where birds were present. Influenza viruses that infect animal species can mutate and infect humans. The human immune system may have no defences against viruses that previously only infected animals.

Health experts are concerned that the current bird flu affecting parts of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe could become a worldwide pandemic if the virus does mutate. The worst influenza pandemic in modern history was the Spanish flu, which occurred in —19 and killed up to 50 million people. Measures to contain the spread of the current bird flu virus include identifying and culling affected poultry flocks, research into tests and vaccines, and rigorous quarantine practices.

Federal and state governments have been working together to plan their response to an outbreak of bird flu. An episode of bird flu in Australia would trigger the Australian Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza, a federal government plan. Victoria also has a Pandemic Influenza Plan, which details the steps that will be used by state government agencies and health services to manage an outbreak.

A separate federal government plan, the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan , is designed to manage bird flu outbreaks among bird populations such as poultry farms.

Key measures to prevent an outbreak of bird flu include keeping wild birds and domesticated birds apart, and making sure that domesticated birds have a safe supply of drinking water. Several antiviral medications used to treat human influenza are also effective for bird flu. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Bird Flu. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.

What are the symptoms of bird flu? What causes bird flu? What are bird flu risk factors? How is bird flu diagnosed? How is bird flu prevented?

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Walsh, DVM. Swine Flu H1N1. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Stock Up! Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Some countries have programs to clean up poultry farms and to check that all birds are healthy before they are sold. This helps keep infected birds out of Canada. Even though there is a lot of talk about bird flu, most people in Canada don't have to worry about getting it.

As of January , three cases of bird flu in humans had been reported in Canada. All of these cases were in people who got the disease while in China and then travelled to North America. You can take steps to lower your chances of getting infected. These organizations are studying and keeping track of bird flu, including what is being done to prevent its spread.

Their websites have the most up-to-date information about bird flu:. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

British Columbia Specific Information Avian influenza is a viral infection caused by influenza A viruses that can spread quickly and easily among birds. Top of the page. Overview What is bird flu? What causes bird flu? Why are people so worried about bird flu? What are the symptoms? At first, the symptoms of bird flu can be the same as common flu symptoms, such as: A fever. A cough. A sore throat. Muscle aches. Sometimes bird flu can cause other symptoms, such as: Vomiting or diarrhea.

An eye infection conjunctivitis. How is bird flu diagnosed and treated? Some questions your doctor might ask are: Have you been within 1 m 3 ft of live, sick, or dead poultry, or with wild birds? Have you eaten raw or poorly cooked poultry or eggs?

Have you had close contact touching or speaking distance with someone from an area affected with a bird flu virus who has a severe respiratory illness or who later died from an unknown cause? Are you a lab or poultry worker who might have been exposed to a bird flu virus?

How can bird flu be prevented? If you live in an area with bird flu, or if you are travelling to a country where there is bird flu: Avoid poultry farms, poultry-processing factories or plants, and close contact with chickens, turkeys, or ducks.

Stay away from open-air markets where live birds are sold. If you have been exposed to the virus, your doctor will watch you for signs of illness for 10 - 14 days.