Facts about the Bird Flu

What is avian influenza (bird flu)?

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Do bird flu viruses infect humans?

Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans; however, 313 cases of human infection with the bird flu strain H5N1 have occurred since 2003 with 191 deaths. The bird flu has been detected in Asia, Europe, Pacific and Africa.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.

How does bird flu spread?

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

What is the risk to humans from bird flu?

The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds.

What is the risk to people in the United States from the bird flu outbreak in Asia and Eastern Europe?

The current risk to Americans from the bird flu outbreak in Asia, Europe and Africa is low. The strain of virus found in those areas has not been found in the United States. There have been NO human cases of the bird flu in the United States.

Is there a vaccine to protect humans from the bird flu virus?

There currently is NO vaccine to protect humans against the bird flu virus that is being seen in Asia and Eastern Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are under way. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against this virus began in April 2005.

Why is there so much concern about bird flu?

In recent months, the bird flu has received a great deal of attention from the media and government officials. Public health and other government officials are concerned the bird flu could change, creating a new strain that could be passed from human to human. Public health officials believe there is a possibility this new strain could cause a worldwide pandemic, similar to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 which killed millions of people.

What is being done locally to prepare for a possible flu pandemic?

The Southeast Health District has conducted flu shot clinics in each of its 16 counties to test its employees� ability to vaccinate a large population in a short period of time. Local EMS, EMA, DFCS, hospitals, law enforcement, school officials and others participated along with local health departments in these clinics. Local health departments are also coordinating Pandemic Flu planning meetings for their communities.

Where can I find more information about Pandemic Flu?

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

Southeast Health District
1101 Church Street
Waycross, GA 31501
P: 912-285-6002
F: 912-284-2980

Website design, hosting and maintenance by InterWeb Designs, Inc.
Copyright � 2007-2008 by InterWeb Designs, Inc. All rights reserved.
This website may not be copied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part,
by anyone without the express written permission of InterWeb Designs, Inc.