Avian Flu
(H5N1 Avian Influenza)
Overview | FAQS | Resources
FAQs
Is it safe to eat chicken, poultry, and eggs?
Yes, eating properly cooked poultry, as well as eggs, is safe. The U.S. government has banned imported poultry from countries affected by bird flu. At the present time, bird flu is not present in the U.S.
For protection against many types of food borne diseases, such as Salmonella, all poultry should be cooked to 165º F or hotter. Cooking also destroys flu viruses.
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I live near people who keep chickens and other poultry. Am I safe? This does not present a risk. At the present time, the H5N1 strain of bird flu that has spread through poultry farms in southeast Asia and into eastern Europe is not present in the U.S. Even if the H5N1 strain were to appear in the U.S., transmission from birds to people would require close contact with birds, such as handling, butchering or exposure to bird droppings.
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I have a bird feeder and a birdbath in my yard. Is this safe? Maintaining a clean bird feeder or birdbath is generally safe, unless these are attracting rodents or raccoons. It is always best to wear protective gloves when handling or cleaning these items to avoid contact with bird droppings or contaminated water in a birdbath. Always wash your hands with soap and water after doing these chores.
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Does owning a caged pet bird increase the possibility of catching or spreading avian flu? The likelihood of getting a pet bird that is already infected with avian flu is very low. It is illegal in the U.S. to import pet birds from regions that are infected with bird flu. In addition, if you’re concerned and already own a pet bird, keep it inside to avoid exposure to wild or migratory birds. If you are buying a new bird, especially of an exotic variety, be sure it has been legally imported. Smuggled birds from affected areas could possibly be infected with the bird flu virus. Information about federal embargoes on bird importation can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/embargo.htm
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Can bird flu virus spread to my pet dog and cat? There is no evidence that bird flu is a risk to dogs. Recently, there have been reports of a canine influenza virus in the U.S., but this is a different flu virus that affects only dogs. There is evidence from the Asian outbreak that the bird flu virus might affect cats fed raw poultry, but there is currently no cause for concern because the virus is not present in the U.S.
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What is being done to monitor for bird flu in wild birds? Several agencies are conducting surveillance for bird flu among wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl. Surveillance is being strengthened in certain parts of the country such as Alaska because it is believed that migratory birds like ducks and geese could carry bird flu there from Asia and Russia.
A fact sheet about the ecology of bird flu (avian influenza) viruses in wild bird populations can be found at the National Wildlife Health Center’s website at: www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/avian_influenza/
FAQ_avian_influenza.html
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What should I do if I find a dead bird? You may dispose of the dead bird by double bagging in plastic bags and discarding in your household garbage. Use gloves or a shovel to avoid touching the bird or any other dead animal with your bare hands.
Most avian flu viruses are routinely carried by aquatic birds (i.e. waterfowl such as ducks or geese), but they do not become ill. Avian flu can be transmitted to poultry that have been in contact with waterfowl. Such contact will cause illness or death in poultry.
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I have a small flock of chickens in my backyard. Are there any special precautions I should take to keep them from getting bird flu? You should practice good sanitation and preventive measures, such as reducing exposure to wild birds, to guard against a variety of diseases. Excellent information on “backyard biosecurity for the birds” is available www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/hpai.html
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Why does the current bird flu outbreak in Southeast Asia pose a risk of causing a pandemic influenza A outbreak in humans?
New human influenza viruses arise from bird influenza viruses that then change to a form that can infect humans and spread readily from person to person. The current bird flu outbreak in Asia is caused by a type of influenza A virus called “H5N1.” The H5N1 outbreak among domestic chickens and ducks in Asia is widespread and uncontrolled. Human infections and deaths due to the avian H5N1 virus have occurred, although the virus has at this time not developed the ability to pass easily from person to person and cause outbreaks in humans.
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What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
The reported symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.
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