A bird flu primer: What to know and do

1. What is bird flu and how does it spread?

Bird flu, or avian flu, is a naturally occurring illness. Just as certain flu viruses spread among humans, Type A influenza viruses often spread among wild birds. The strain of virus circulating now is H5N1, named after two proteins on its surface.

Avian flu infections are highly contagious. Infection often spreads first among wild water birds, such as ducks, geese, and gulls, and shore birds, such as plovers and sandpipers. The viruses are carried in their intestines and respiratory tracts and shed in saliva, mucus, and feces. Wild birds can easily infect domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

Some bird species, including ducks, may carry and spread infection without appearing sick. Domestic flocks are more likely to sicken and possibly die from bird flu. However, not all avian flu viruses are equally harmful:

• Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) may cause no signs of illness, or signs of mild illness like fewer eggs or ruffled feathers in domestic poultry.
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causes more severe illness and high rates of death in infected poultry. The current H5N1 virus is considered an HPAI.

Importantly, genetic mutations can แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ allow low pathogenic avian influenza to become highly pathogenic. These mutations may also allow it to spread more easily from one species (such as wild birds) to another (such as chickens).

2. Can humans get bird flu?

Yes, though it’s not common.

When flu viruses mutate, they may be able to move from their original hosts birds in this case to humans and other animals. Since early 2024, 70 human cases have report in the U.S. Updated U.S. case numbers of bird flu will continue.

The virus may be introduced into the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. For example, a person may inhale viral particles in the air (from droplets, tiny aerosolized particles, or possibly in dust). Or they might touch a surface contaminated by the virus, then touch their eyes or nose.  The most common risk factor for human infection is exposure to sick or dead poultry.

Bird flu in humans typically causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu, such as fever, conjunctivitis (pink eye), runny nose, and body aches.

3. Which animals have affecte?

A surprisingly long list of animals affected by the current H5NI infection includes:

• wild birds, chickens, ducks, geese, and other domestic and commercial poultry in every state in the US and in more than 100 countries
• livestock, such as dairy cows in 17 states at this writing, and other farm animals
• marine animals, such as seals, sea lions, and even dolphins
• wild animals, such as foxes, skunks, and racoons, and some domestic animals, such as farm cats.