What Causes Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans (2024)

FAQs

What Causes Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans? ›

Other animals infected with avian influenza viruses may have virus present in respiratory secretions, different organs, blood, or in other body fluids, including animal milk. Human infections with avian influenza viruses can happen when virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.

Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare but can happen if enough virus is inhaled or gets into a worker's mouth, eyes, or nose. This can happen if virus is in the air and a worker breathes it in, or if a worker touches something that has virus on it and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.

People should avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with avian influenza A viruses. If you must have direct/close contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).

Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a disease that is highly contagious and often deadly in poultry, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses; it is also known as bird or avian flu. HPAI viruses can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

Domesticated birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.) may become infected with avian influenza A viruses through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the viruses.

It is thought that all influenza A viruses causing outbreaks or pandemics among humans since the 1900s originated from strains circulating in wild aquatic birds through reassortment with other influenza strains. It is possible (though not certain) that pigs may act as an intermediate host for reassortment.

The most likely way for a human to catch bird flu is through close contact with infected birds, their faeces (poo) or feathers. See a doctor immediately if you have recently returned from a country that has had an outbreak of bird flu and you have flu like symptoms.

The USDA has confirmed 126 cases of bird flu in dairy cattle herds in a dozen states as of June 21, including Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Idaho has the most dairy herds affected, with a total of 27.

disease: • keep your distance (restrict access to your property and your birds); • keep it clean (clean and disinfect your clothes, shoes, equipment, and hands); • don't haul disease home (if you have been near other birds or bird owners, clean and disinfect poultry cages and equipment before going home); • don't risk ...

Is milk safe to drink right now? ›

Yes, it's still safe to drink milk even if avian flu virus fragments are in the milk supply. You're reading The Checkup With Dr. Wen, a newsletter on how to navigate covid-19 and other public health challenges.

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.

The viruses that cause avian influenza (or “bird flu”) mainly infect and spread among wild aquatic birds, such as wild ducks, geese, and storks, and domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys.

First case of A(H1N2)v virus in the US in 2024

Variant influenza A virus infections are novel influenza A virus infections. A novel influenza A virus is an influenza A virus that is different from seasonal influenza A viruses spreading among people.

H5N1 influenza appears to be a systemic infection in both human and animal cases. In humans the trachea, brain, and intestines may be infected in addition to the lungs. It appears that the virus may also spread to other organs, such as the kidneys and liver, as has also been demonstrated in animals.

Antiviral medicines help reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications and improve the chances of survival. They are also sometimes given to people who have been in close contact with infected birds, or those who have had contact with infected people, for example family or healthcare staff.

Avian influenza virus type A (H5N1) has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 12 states: 26 in Idaho, 25 in Michigan, 21 in Texas, 20 in Colorado, 10 in Iowa, eight in New Mexico, six in Minnesota, five in South Dakota, four in Kansas, and one each in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wyoming.

The virus is by in the feces of infected birds or through secretions from the nose, mouth and eyes. Exposure to infected fecal material is the most common mode of bird–to–bird transmission.

You're not likely to contract bird flu from eating beef or chicken, according to Dan Gallagher, a Registered Dietitian with Aegle Nutrition. “The chances of getting sick from eating chicken or beef, even with the bird flu outbreak, are still incredibly low,” he noted.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations says that there is no evidence that anyone has been infected with the avian flu by eating properly cooked eggs. Cooking eggs to 160°F (71°C) will kill the avian flu virus. The recommendation for cooking eggs well is supported.