Chicken Bird Flu

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This document is a public health informational fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) titled "How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People." It details the mechanisms by which avian influenza (bird flu) can be transmitted from infected backyard poultry to humans, primarily through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, or by inhaling virus-laden droplets or dust. The fact sheet explains that human infections with bird flu viruses are rare but possible, particularly after close, prolonged, and unprotected exposure. It also covers the impact of bird flu on wild birds and domestic poultry, noting its high contagiousness and potential fatality in chickens, leading to depopulation efforts by agencies like APHIS. The document emphasizes that the risk to the general public from bird flu outbreaks is low, and proper handling and cooking of poultry meat prevent human infection. Key points include the rarity of human cases, the primary transmission routes, and the coordinated public health response by agencies like USDA and CDC to manage outbreaks in birds and protect human health.

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--- 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