Avian Flu: What to know
By JA Hodgdon-Ruppel
Send a link to a friend
[November 12, 2024]
What is Avian Flu? First of
all, the good news is that most strains do not affect humans, except
in certain rare cases. The bad news is that it is usually deadly to
birds and poultry. The Avian flu, or bird flu is caused by influenza
type A virus infections in bird species. Birds can show no symptoms
to showing mild, or serious or can lead to sudden death. Flu virus
particles are spread through saliva, mucus, stool, and breathing, as
well as if a human touches an object with flu particles and in turn
touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth. |
|
|
 Even
though the bird flu rarely affects humans, the worry by officials is
that over time the virus that affects the bird population can
change, or mutate, to eventually affect humans by spreading from
human to human. This would be considered a new virus to humans and a
mutated strain could spread quickly around the world, much like the
Covid virus did.
However, knowledge is power, and you can protect yourself by being
conscience of this virus, keeping yourself and the location of the
birds clean, and educating yourself and any other person that comes
into direct contact with you or the bird's bedding, or waste from
the birds. People who usually catch the bird flu virus or a form of
it usually have a close, long-term relationship with live,
domesticated poultry from a farm or backyard hobby. The symptoms in
a person usually show up within seven days of contact and can be
from mild to serious. These symptoms are as common as human flu
viruses, and you will have to have a specific test to show a bird
flu infection. You should plan to see a doctor if you have or think
you have been exposed to bird flu if your work or hobbies revolve
around birds or poultry. It is especially important to tell your
doctor about why and how you think you may have contracted the
virus.
Keeping yourself safe from any
virus is common sense by keeping things clean, washing your hands,
using protective clothing, and educating yourself. Although, there
are times when we can still catch a virus regardless of how clean we
are or how many times we wash our hands. In this case, having a
relationship with your healthcare provider, and keeping yourself
educated with reputable medical outlets (such as the Center for
Disease Control (CDC), not just googling on the internet) is one of
the best preventions to any virus or bacteria that is lingering
around.
CDC has listed some of the following protective actions that can be
taken to reduce your chance of getting or spreading this virus.
• Protective actions around wild birds Avoid direct contact with
wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible.
Learn more.
• What to do if you find a dead bird Avoid contact with wild or
domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick
or dead birds.
Learn
more.
• Protective actions around other animals with H5N1 bird flu Avoid
unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces
contaminated by them.
Learn more.
• Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy
cattle Avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure
to cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be
infected with HPAI A(H5) virus.
Learn more.
• Consuming Milk People should
not eat, or drink raw milk or products made with raw milk. Choosing
pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe.
Learn
more.
• Preparing food It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked
poultry in the United States. There are recommendations around
products from other animals with H5 virus infections, including
cattle and milk.
Learn
more.
• Traveling to other countries CDC does not currently recommend any
travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by
bird flu in birds, other animals or people.
Learn
more.
• If you have contact with infected birds or other animals and
become sick Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds
or other animals and become sick.
Learn
more.
[to top of second column] |
• Clinicians can
visit CDC's avian influenza (bird flu) information for health
professionals for the latest guidance.
Learn more.
• Public health professionals and laboratorians can visit CDC's
avian influenza (bird flu) information for public health partners
for the latest guidance.
Learn more.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine Seasonal flu vaccination will not
prevent infection with bird flu viruses but can reduce the risk of
getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for
seasonal and bird flu co-infection.
Learn
more.
• Avoid contact with animals who are sick or may be sick. Wild or
domestic, keep birds at a distance to avoid any germs they may
carry.
• Wear eye, nose and mouth protective gear when needed. Flu viruses
get in the body through the mouth, nose or eyes. Wear eye
protection, a face mask and gloves to help keep the virus out if
you're in an area where it might be present.
• Wash your hands with soap and water. This is especially important
after touching animals or surfaces that may be dirty with animal
mucus, saliva or stool.
Getting bird flu from food is rare. But it's a good idea to follow
safe food handling recommendations.
• Avoid spreading germs in the kitchen. Use hot, soapy water to wash
all surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry, meat,
seafood or eggs.
• Cook food fully. Cook
chicken until it reaches an internal minimum temperature of 165 F
(74 C). Cook eggs until the white yolk and are firm. Egg dishes,
such as quiche, should reach 160 F (71 C). Cook beef to 145 F (63 C)
and let it rest for 3 minutes. Cook ground beef to 160 F (71 C).
• Avoid raw dairy products. Dairy milk that is heated to kill germs
is called pasteurized. In the U.S., dairy milk and foods made with
it say on the Nutrition Facts label if the milk is pasteurized. Raw
milk isn't pasteurized, so it is more likely to make you sick.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/index.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bird-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-
 |
