Document Text
--- Document: Chicken Bird Flu Document ---
How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People
Human Infections with Bird Flu Viruses Rare But Possible
1 Direct Contact
(Most Common)
Bird flu
virus
Touching virus
and then
touching the
eyes,
nose or
mouth
Infection can occur without touching poultry.
2 Contaminated Surfaces
Healthy looking
birds can still
spread bird flu
Bird flu
virus
3 Bird Flu Virus in the Air (in Droplets or Dust)
Bird flu virus
Flapping wings
Scratching
Shaking head
Virus enters
through the
eyes,
nose
or mouth
Nasal
passage
Lungs
www.cdc.gov/bird-flu
CS330154-A
Bird flu infections in people are rare, but possible. Most reported bird flu
infections in people have happened after unprotected contact with infected
birds or contaminated surfaces. This fact sheet provides information about
bird flu and bird flu infections in people.
Bird Flu in Wild Birds
Wild water birds (like ducks and geese) can be infected with avian (bird)
influenza (flu) viruses, but usually do not get sick. Infected birds have virus in
their saliva, mucous and droppings (feces). Bird flu viruses can spread easily
between birds. Some of these viruses can cause serious illness and death in
domestic poultry (like chickens, ducks, and turkeys).
Bird Flu in Poultry
Domesticated birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.) can become infected with
bird flu A viruses through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected
poultry, or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with
the viruses. Bird Flu is a serious poultry disease and requires rapid response
because it is highly contagious and can be fatal to chickens. Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with its federal, state, local and industry
partners to quickly respond to any bird flu findings, including bird flu A(H5) or
A(H7) virus outbreaks in poultry, where depopulation (or culling, also called
“stamping out”) of infected flocks is usually carried out.
Bird Flu in People
It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu viruses, but it can happen. Bird
flu viruses can infect people when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose,
or mouth, or is inhaled. This might happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or
possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something
that has virus on it and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. (See picture
on reverse side.) Most bird flu infections in people have happened after close,
prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
People who are sick with bird flu virus infection can be treated with the same
prescription drugs that are used to treat people who are sick from human
seasonal flu virus infection. People who have had no contact with infected
poultry or contaminated surfaces are thought to be at very low risk of infection.
People with close, prolonged, unprotected exposure with infected birds or
contaminated environments are thought to be at greater (though probably still
low) risk of infection.
No human bird flu infections have been reported from proper handling of poultry
meat or from eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products.
Bird Flu Outbreaks in Birds
Outbreaks of bird flu happen among birds from time to time. When bird flu
outbreaks happen in U.S. poultry, the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) works with industry, state and other government partners to stop the
outbreak so that it does not spread to other poultry. Surveillance of flocks that
are nearby or linked to the infected flock(s) and quarantine of exposed flocks
with culling if disease is detected, are the preferred control and eradication
methods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works with partners
to protect the public’s health during these outbreaks. The risk to the public from
bird flu outbreaks is low; however, because other bird flu viruses have infected
people, it is possible that human infections with these viruses could occur.
More information about bird flu is available at www.cdc.gov/bird-flu