There are many strains of bird flu, but when most people talk about bird flu they’re referring to viruses that originate in Asia, specifically H7N9 or H5N1, the classic bird flu. In the past, both of these have caused small outbreaks globally, but neither has ever been detected in the United States.
Here’s what you should know about avian flu, including risks, symptoms, and prevention.
Avian Flu in Birds vs. Humans
Bird flu occurs naturally in wild birds and can also spread to livestock poultry. However, transmission to humans is very rare. Avian flu is passed through contact with the saliva, mucus, or feces of a bird that has the virus. For a human to contract the virus, a substantial amount of the virus must enter their eyes, nose, or mouth. Almost everyone who contracts avian flu gets it after close contact with infected birds.
Human-to-human transmission has only been detected in extremely rare situations. However, global health officials monitor avian flu because the virus has a high mortality rate (rate of death). If the virus mutates, or changes, to be able to spread more easily from human to human, it would become even more dangerous.
Current Risk of Transmission
The risk of getting bird flu, especially in the United States, is extremely low. Globally, 1,568 people have been infected with H7N9 since 2013. Since 2003, about 862 people around the globe have contracted H5N1. Very rarely, other strains of bird flu are diagnosed in the United States, but the more serious strains have never occurred in humans or birds in this country.
Bird Flu Symptoms
In humans, the symptoms of bird flu are the same as seasonal influenza. Some cases are mild, while others are severe. Avian flu has a much higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza. Roughly 53% of people diagnosed with H5N1 and 50% of people diagnosed with H7N9 have died.
Symptoms include:
Fever Cough Sore throat and runny nose Aches, including headache Fatigue Conjunctivitis (pink eye) Trouble breathing
Risk Factors
People who live or work in close proximity to birds are at the highest risk of contracting bird flu. The avian flu is more common in certain areas of the globe, especially Asia, and risk increases if you have recently traveled to a country that is experiencing bird flu.
Among people who contract bird flu, people who are pregnant, those who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), or people ages 65 and older are at higher risk for serious complications.
Food Preparation Tips
There has never been a documented case of a human contracting bird flu through uncooked or undercooked food. However, scientists know that other viruses can pass through substances like blood that are found in uncooked food.
Avoid contact with wild birds. Stay away from domestic birds that are sick or dead. Avoid any contact with bird feces, whether wild or domestic. Report dead wild birds to state agencies and never handle them with bare hands. If traveling, avoid farms and poultry markets in countries affected by bird flu.
To be extra cautious, the CDC recommends that people cook poultry and eggs thoroughly and wash their hands after preparing them. When traveling in countries affected by bird flu, the CDC recommends not preparing poultry or eggs.
Bird Flu Diagnosis and Treatment
Bird flu cannot be diagnosed with symptoms alone, it must be diagnosed with a lab test. To conduct the test, doctors will swab your nose and analyze the mucus. It’s important to tell your doctor if you have recently travelled to a country that experiences avian flu, or if you’ve been in contact with birds.
Bird flu can be treated using antiviral medications. If you believe you’ve been exposed to bird flu, these medications might also prevent you from contracting the illness.
Flu Shot Vaccine for Bird Flu
The seasonal flu vaccine does not offer protection against bird flu. However, getting the vaccine might help prevent severe illness that could occur if you contracted the seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time. There isn’t currently a publicly available vaccine for bird flu. However, the U.S. government has a stockpile of vaccines for H5N1, which could be deployed if the virus ever began spreading easily between humans.
Summary
Bird flu is concerning because of its high mortality rate. However, it is extremely rare in humans. Although avian flu occurs in birds around the world, fewer than 2,500 people have been infected since 2003. However, it’s still important to limit contact with birds and bird droppings, and to tell your doctor if you become sick after visiting a country with active bird flu.
A Word From Verywell
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people on edge. Bird flu is concerning, but it’s important to remember that it’s exceedingly rare in humans. The two most dangerous strains of bird flu—H5N1 and H7N9—have never been detected in birds or humans in the United States. As always, focusing on overall health, practicing good hygiene, and keeping up to date on vaccines can help keep you safe.
