The Acheson Group
Disease Fact Sheets
Avian Influenza Fact Sheet
What is Avian Influenza?
Avian Influenza (AI) or “bird flu” is a large group of viruses that can infect all species of birds with varying symptoms depending on the species. Low pathogenic AI strains are common, typically causing no or only minor symptoms and posing little significant threat to human health. High pathogenic AI (HPAI) can infect domestic chicken or turkey flocks, spreading rapidly with high mortality. Wild birds also can transmit it among flocks. HPAI H5N1 is rapidly spreading in some parts of the world. Infected flocks need to de-populated with proper disposal of carcasses to prevent further transmission.
Why Should I Care about Avian Influenza?
- In the last 20 years, there have been 873 human cases of Influenza A (H5N1) and 458 deaths from 21 countries
- HPAI has occurred in wild mammals, with 3 farmworkers in US and Spain infected in 2022 with no or mild symptoms.
- AI in poultry poses risk to humans from exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments, but this occurs only from prolonged unprotected contact.
- No human-to-human transmission has occurred, but global concern is that it could mutate by combining with human flu strains
- CDC and WHO believe the risk to humans is low.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF AVIAN INFLUENZA
TAG Public Health Experts have the experience and expertise to help companies and institutions successfully integrate science-driven public health approaches into their business strategy.
What Do I Do About Avian Influenza?
- Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection against AI and pathogens like Salmonella.
- Anyone working with poultry or birds should get an annual flu shot to reduce the risk of HPAI mutation.
- People with work or recreational exposure to birds/infected mammals should protect themselves by:
- Public health officials may implement testing of asymptomatic exposed persons to further strengthen surveillance around HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms.
- Development of vaccines for birds is underway.
- • Minimizing contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry by wearing gloves
- • Washing hands with soap and water after touching birds.
- • Wearing respiratory protection, preferably an N95 respirator if available, or a well-fitting facemask
- • Avoiding touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces that may be
contaminated with their saliva, mucous, or feces.
- • Changing clothes before contact with healthy domestic poultry and after handling wild birds. Then,
throwing away the gloves and facemask, and washing hands with soap and water.
