:: Pandemic Influenza ::

Avian Flu and Humans:

Can Avian Flu infect humans?
Yes, avian flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of
human infection with avian flu viruses have occurred since 1997.

Avian flu is transmitted to humans in Southeast Asian countries
from bird dropping or by eating inadequately cooked poultry.
There is no conclusive evidence at this time that avian flu
is transmitted from person-to-person.

How do humans get Avian Flu?
Humans can get avian flu from contact with infected birds
or contaminated surfaces. Infected birds shed the virus
in saliva and droppings. A person can catch the avian flu virus
when an infected chicken coughs or sneezes onto his/her face,
or by breathing in bird dropping particles.

The World Health Organization is still investigating
whether avian flu spreads from human-to-human.
The virus is not passed through eating cooked meat or eggs,
so there is no danger in eating well-cooked chicken or duck.

What are the symptoms of Avian Flu in humans?
• The time period between exposure to symptoms may be up to 10 days.
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches
• Shortness of breath
• Eye infections
• Severe cases of avian flu can cause serious breathing problems including
pneumonia and can cause death.

What treatment is available for Avian Flu?
Health care providers will tell patients how to treat, depending on
their symptoms. Depending on the severity of the symptoms,
treatment may include hospitalization, supportive care
and/or the use of anti-virals. There is an antiviral drug
that can be used for the prevention and treatment of Avian Flu.

Is there a vaccine that can protect me from Avian Flu?
No, a vaccine that protects from avian flu is not available at this time.
Providers may choose to give regular flu vaccine to high-risk groups
such as poultry workers, to reduce the risk that they may become infected
with both the human and avian viruses at the same time.

Why is there a concern about getting both viruses at the same time?
The mixing of human and avian viruses could produce a new kind of flu
to which humans have no protection. It is also possible
that the new type of flu would be easily passed from person-to-person,
which could cause widespread outbreak (pandemic) and even death.

Protect Yourself
Even through there is no conclusive evidence that avian flu is transmitted
person-to-person, health officials recommend people
take the same precautions to protect themselves against avian flu
as they would colds and other flu.

Wash your hands frequently and stay away from people who are coughing,
have a fever greater than 100°, have other flu-like symptoms
and have recently traveled to an Asian country.

Avian Flu and Birds:

How do chickens or other birds get Avian Flu?
• From direct contact with the saliva or droppings of infected birds.
• From contaminated feed, water, cages, equipment or
clothing-especially shoes of poultry workers.

What are the symptoms of Avian Flu in birds?

An infected bird may show one or more of these symptoms:
• Lack of energy and appetite
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattle and legs
• Purple staining of the wattle and comb
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing and sneezing
• Diarrhea
• Sudden death

Protect Yourself and Your Bird:

How can I protect my bird and myself from Avian Flu?
Avian flu can be spread by wild migratory birds.

Owners are advised to take precautionary measures:
• Avoid contact with wild birds, particularly water birds.
• Keep birds in cages, hen houses, or a netted areas
to keep wild birds away
• Do not introduce birds of unknown origin to existing pet birds
• Control human traffic in bird cages and chicken pens
• Practice excellent hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting procedures

Here is some information about Avian and Pandemic Influenza provided
by the World Health Organization and the CDC. Click on the links below for
more information:

Government Pandemic flu information

Ohio Pandemic flu information

10 things you should know about Avian and Pandemic Influenza.

Avian flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

Pandemic flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious
illness that spreads easily from person to person.
Currently there is no pandemic flu.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/

Questions & Answers about Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/qanda.htm