Cart
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses, which spread rapidly in wild birds and poultry and sometimes cross over to mammals. They are classified based on how they can affect birds, either as a Low Pathogenic Avian Orthothesivirine (LPAI) form or a Highly Pathogenic Avian Orthothesivirine (HPAI) form. HPAI, including the H5N1 strain, constantly affects birds and sometimes causes severe illness among humans.
Spreading occurs through direct contact with infected birds or environments they exist in and through eating infected or undercooked poultry products. Although most human infections result from direct exposure to infected birds, limited evidence of person-to-person transmission presents the overall risk to the population as moderate.
However, the ability of the virus to mutate cannot be overlooked, meaning that hefty monitoring needs to be done, especially in regions that are experiencing active cases.
The varying pathogenicity of avian influenza is due to differences in the capacity of viruses to affect poultry. Both LPAI and HPAI strains can infect domestic birds, wild birds, and occasionally humans, but their effects differ significantly:
LPAI viruses normally go unnoticed in the affected birds as, in most cases, there are no signs at all. However, symptoms of L virus may include dropping wings or fewer eggs, which may be difficult to see with a bare eye. LPAI viruses are not very virulent, but they include subtypes H5 and H7 that can mutate into highly pathogenic forms and are a danger to birds.
HPAI viruses like H5N1, for example, infect and kill off bird populations within days of being infected, with mortality rates as high as 90-100%. These outbreaks can greatly devastate poultry industries, such that there is a need to destroy the affected birds in order to prevent further spread.
Some wild birds, like the migratory waterfowl, can be infected with these viruses and with little or no clinical signs, thus spreading the viruses geographically. In humans, HPAI strains have occasionally caused severe respiratory diseases and or even death.
Human infection with bird flu is still uncommon but is very much a public health concern due to the potential risks involved. The primary offenders – H5, H7, and H9 – appear suddenly, usually as a result of exposure to infected birds or soil containing AV.
Transmission of avian influenza from poultry to humans began in Hong Kong in 1997. Of all subtypes reported to infect humans, the H5N1 strain has been the most common, with between January 2022 and June 2024 across 9 countries which led to 7 mortalities. and has claimed the highest fatality rate of up to 50%. In the United States in 2024, there were over 60 connected cases with poultry and dairy farms.
The disease manifestation could vary from simple respiratory discomfort to severe pneumonia, critical illness, and multiorgan dysfunction. In the same way, the H7N9 strain that was emergent from China in 2013 has affected more than 1,500 people, and the fatality rate of this strain for hospitalized patients is approximately 40%.
The lesser pathogenic H9N2 strain has already been reported to cause more than one hundred infections, predominantly in children who had contact with birds. People usually get infected with these strains through contact with infected birds either in their workplace or through recreational activities, and so far, there have been no documented community-wide outbreaks.
For individuals at risk including farm workers or people handling birds, PPE and strictly adhered to standard hygiene protocol is very important. Medical consultation is advisable for flu-like symptoms developed after contact with animals likely to have been infected with the H5N1 virus.
Safeguarding yourself involves several protective measures against avian influenza. While the general public's risk remains low, taking precautions is essential, especially if you are exposed to birds or poultry.
It is transmitted through saliva, mucous, and feces and spreads on surfaces and adjacent areas. If you are dealing with affected or dead birds always ensure you use the appropriate PPE that includes gloves and mask before touching the birds make sure that you do not touch your face once you have touched the birds, ensure that you wash your hands.
Thoroughly cooking chicken and eggs to an internal temperature of 165ºF kills the virus. Do not eat any kind of undercooked poultry product since they have been known to cause few infections in some parts of southeast Asia.
Moreover do not consume foods that come from raw milk or products gotten from infected animals as they may contain the virus.
Wash hands often with soap or use an alcohol-based preparation to minimize contact with the virus. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth once you have touched birds or come across dirty surfaces.
If you experience signs of avian flu, including fever, cough, or trouble breathing, go to the doctor at once. Inform any healthcare providers about any contact with birds or poultry products within the last week.
Avian influenza, and in particular, the highly pathogenic A H5N1, still presents a threat to societies worldwide. After 2020, the outbreaks in poultry and wild birds increased, and large numbers of detections were reported in European, African, and Asian countries. H5N1 was reported to infect more than 50 countries in 2024.
As of December 2024, across the United States, over 123 million poultry have been infected, and the AVs have been detected in all 50 states.
Image Source: elifesciences
In wildlife, natural hosts are waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and shorebirds, which spread the virus from one region to another through migration. Moreover, infection with another mammal, such as foxes and sea lions, has occurred, and this has triggered questions of the ability of the virus to mutate. These outbreaks, compliance with the random human cases, illustrate the continuous zoonotic risk.
The CDC emphasizes avoiding direct contact with wild birds and poultry, particularly those appearing ill or dead. Individuals involved in farming, hunting, or birdwatching should take extra precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
For the general public, the CDC advises:
Enhanced surveillance systems are in place to monitor the virus’s activity among animals and humans. These efforts include tracking exposures among farmworkers and testing symptomatic individuals for H5N1 or other influenza A viruses.
Several measures of prevention should be taken daily for the workers who are handling or in direct contact with birds or in poultry buildings for any reason. The first avian influenza prevention measure is to wash hands with soap or to use chemicals like alcohol-based sanitizers every time contact with the birds is made.
Just as importantly, if you want to avoid the virus getting inside your body, do not rub the eyes, the nose or the mouth after contact.
In homes, maintain strict hygiene and sanitation of objects that can possibly come into contact with poultry or poultry products. An important preventive measure to avoid the virus is to cook poultry adequately to a temperature of 165F and avoid undercooked poultry products or unpasteurized milk.
The CDC advises that workers in high-risk professions, like poultry rearing or animal husbandry, should cover their face, hands, and eyes with PPE when handling birds or cleaning up a messy area.
In the case of contact with infected birds, the use of antiviral drugs may be planned to prevent the disease.
In confirmed cases of bird flu, Tamiflu, an antiviral medicine, is prescribed to minimize symptoms and complications in case of an attack. The treatment is best administered within 48 hours of the first appearance of avian flu symptoms.
Advanced presentations may need admission to the ICU and supportive management, including the administration of oxygen or Mechanical ventilation.
Avian influenza and its continued spread require precautionary and preventive measures. It is crucial to always heed the authorities’ advice and stay updated regarding the disease prevalence, and you can minimize your chances of contact. Current recommendations can be obtained from the CDC and local health departments; hence, these sites should be visited frequently.
If you notice strange actions or avian flu symptoms in wild birds or poultry, the information should be passed to the wildlife or agriculture department quickly. Reporting health issues as soon as possible ensures early diagnosis and therefore stops the spread of the illnesses.
Likewise, if you or any of your relatives or friends experience avian flu signs after a possible contact, consult a doctor immediately and disclose the encounter. If you do these things, you will also help prevent more cases of avian influenza from spreading in peoples’ homes and communities, thus reducing the number of cases.
