Avian influenza (bird flu)

• Avian bird flu is a type of influenza mainly present in birds but can spread to humans on rare occasions.
• The most common strain of avian influenza virus is the H5N1 virus.
• Avian flu symptoms can include high fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. 
• Bird flu treatment mainly consists of antiviral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza.

The avian influenza virus is typically present in birds but can spread to humans on rare occasions. Although avian flu in humans does not occur frequently, it’s important to be vigilant, as human bird flu has a high mortality rate. This makes it essential to know which symptoms this condition causes and which treatments are available, especially if you come into contact with birds regularly.  

Bird flu, or avian, is a type of influenza among birds. This infectious disease can spread from bird to bird and, in some cases, to humans. There are 4 strains of bird flu which have been reported in humans: 1

• H5N1
• H7N9
• H5H6
• H5N8

These strains can be transmitted to humans and can cause severe respiratory illness, which may, in some cases, even be fatal. H5N1 bird flu is the most common strain and is currently the cause of most cases of respiratory disease in both people and animals. 2

Bird flu symptoms in humans may include: 1 3

• A high fever
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• A sudden cough 
• Shortness of breath 
• Diarrhea
• A general feeling of sickness
• Stomach ache
• Chest pain
• Bleeding from the nose and gums
• Eye inflammation 

The severity of these symptoms can depend, with some people only experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and others experiencing severe symptoms which may become fatal. Cases where no symptoms are present have also been reported. The symptoms of bird flu can appear suddenly, and can shift gradually to more severe disease such as severe respiratory illness, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and neurologic symptoms such as seizure or changes in thinking and behavior. 2

The bird flu virus can spread to humans when humans come into contact with an infected bird. There are several situations that increase the risk of getting avian influenza: 1 2

• Touching an infected bird or its nest.
• Visiting markets where live birds are sold 
• Coming into contact with the droppings of an infected bird
• Killing or cooking an infected bird 

The avian influenza virus can not be spread by eating fully-cooked poultry or eggs. It’s very rare for a bird flu virus to be transmitted from one person to another. 

If you're experiencing symptoms of bird flu, it's important to tell your healthcare provider about the symptoms you've been experiencing and about any situations you've been in where you have been close to live or dead birds. To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare provider can take a nose or throat swab to see if the virus is present in your body. 1

In order to prevent further spread of the bird flu, it’s important that you stay away from others if you are experiencing avian flu symptoms. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you antiviral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza, which can help your body fight off the infection with the bird flu virus. Antiviral medication can reduce the severity of the symptoms you’re experiencing, prevent complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome and increase your overall chances of survival. 1 2

The risk of contracting bird flu is elevated if you’re in a country with an outbreak of avian influenza. It's important to note that seasonal flu shots do not protect against bird flu. However, you can take the following precautions to reduce your risk of infection with the avian influenza virus: 1

• Do not eat undercooked or raw poultry, duck or eggs
• Do not touch birds 
• Do not visit live bird markets 
• Wash your hands often with water and soap, especially when handling raw poultry

The avian influenza virus does not often spread to humans, but when it does, it can cause severe symptoms that can quickly get worse and can be fatal in many cases. It's essential to be cautious around birds in areas where bird flu is circulating and to seek treatment early on if you experience any of the symptoms of bird flu.  

Q: Is bird flu dangerous to humans? 
A: Bird flu can be dangerous to humans. Compared to the other strains of the avian influenza virus, H5N1 has a mortality rate of over 50% in humans. This is mainly due to the severe consequences of the virus. 

Q: How long does bird flu last in humans? 
A: The symptoms of bird flu usually appear within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the virus, although this period may extend up to 17 days. Typically, the symptoms last for about 2 weeks. 

Q: How do humans get avian flu? 
A: Humans can get avian flu by being exposed to infected birds. This can happen while visiting live bird markets, but can also happen by coming into contact with bird droppings or when preparing or eating poultry or duck. 

Q: What are the symptoms of the avian flu? 
A: The symptoms of the avian flu can include high fever, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, headache, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, stomach ache, chest pain, conjunctivitis, and bleeding from nose or gums. 

Q: Is there a bird flu vaccine? 
A: The CDC has developed candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) from current H5N1 strains, which could be used to produce a vaccine when deeded, providing effective protection against the virus. Also, it's important to note that the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H5N1 bird flu.