What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a disease of wild and domesticated birds. This type
of flu can also infect other animals and people. Since the 1990s, bird flu outbreaks
have occurred in Asia and Europe. The virus is now spreading to birds and other
animals in new regions. The virus has infected some people. Human cases of
bird flu have been reported in Southeast Asia and Europe. Most human cases came from
direct contact with infected birds or their droppings. More than 100 people have
gotten bird flu and about half of them died. That’s why health officials are
watching for any person-to-person spread of bird flu.
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What’s the difference between “bird
flu” and “pandemic flu”?
Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of a new flu virus that few, if any
people will have immunity.
Bird flu or H5N1 is a flu virus circulating in Southeast Asia, Europe
and now Africa, that usually affects birds but also has infected people. Those people became extremely sick or died.
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What are the symptoms of bird flu
in people?
Symptoms of bird flu and other kinds of flu are similar: a high
fever that lasts for several days, muscle aches that feel worse if they’re touched,
coughing and shortness of breath are common. So far, all human cases of bird flu
have been confined to Asia and Europe. Disease experts say human cases are
rare. Most human cases came from direct contact with infected birds or their
droppings. Most often the diagnosis of bird flu is made by the symptoms a person has
and laboratory testing.
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What about my pets, are they
susceptible?
It’s possible for cats to get bird flu, usually from eating raw,
infected poultry or wild birds. Health officials say the risk is low but cat owners
in bird flu affected areas should keep their cats indoors, keep them away from wild cats
and not feed them raw poultry. There have been no reports of cats passing bird flu
to people. Experts don’t know whether or not dogs can catch bird flu, but
it’s possible that, like cats, they could get it from eating infected, raw poultry or
wild birds.
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Why could bird flu become the next
pandemic?
Scientists worry that bird flu could cause the next pandemic.
The virus is spreading to birds and other animals in new regions. The virus has
infected some people causing severe illness and death.
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What’s being done to keep bird flu from becoming
the next pandemic?
Health officials around the world are watching for any
person-to-person spread of bird flu. Public health officials in every state and
almost every nation are preparing for pandemic flu. A worldwide network of
laboratories detects and tracks flu viruses. There’s a program for fast
distribution of vaccines and medicines and several systems are in place for sharing
emergency health information. National, state and local preparedness efforts are
on-going.
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Is it safe to buy and eat chicken
or duck in the U.S.?
Health officials say it’s safe to eat safely prepared and cooked
poultry in the U.S. The H5N1 bird flu hasn’t been found in the U.S.
Cooking destroys germs, including the bird flu virus. The U.S. bans imports of
poultry from areas with bird flu. There’s also worldwide coordination to
control the spread of bird flu. Flocks in other countries are monitored for illness,
infected birds are separated and sick and infected birds are killed. As usual, you
should take steps to control the spread of germs from poultry: keep hands, utensils
and surfaces clean and fully cook all poultry.
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What advice would you give someone traveling
to a country affected by bird flu?
Before traveling check the CDC’s website, http://www.cdc.gov for travel advisories.
Be sure your shots are current and your health insurance covers you overseas.
Contact the U.S. Consulate there to learn of available healthcare. Travelers
should take steps to minimize risks while on their trip. Avoid contact with chickens
and ducks including droppings and blood. Follow good health habits such as frequent
hand-washing. Avoid live animal markets, bird farms and partially cooked bird.
There are other things you can do after you return from your travels as well.
If you have any illness within 10 days of your return, see your healthcare
provider. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about your travel. So far,
no travelers to Southeast Asia or Europe have gotten bird flu.
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More information
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Contact:
If you have bird flu or pandemic flu questions or would like additional information, email
birdflu@dhhs.ne.gov or call the DHHS Disease
Surveillance area at 471-2937.
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