H5N1 Bird Flu
Background
H5 bird flu is caused by a type of influenza virus called the avian influenza A(H5) virus. This virus is widespread in wild birds and has caused outbreaks in other animals such as poultry and dairy cows.
People rarely get bird flu, but when they do, it's usually due to close contact with sick animals. The risk of H5 bird flu infection for the general public is low. People at higher risk of infection are those who work closely with animals that could be sick, such as farmworkers, backyard flock owners, and veterinarians.
At this time, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the United States, but public health officials are monitoring the situation closely. General information about H5 bird flu is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with a summary of the current situation.
- Virus can spread through the saliva, mucous, and feces of infected birds, or through body fluids (e.g., milk) of other infected animals.
- People can become infected when the H5N1 virus gets into a person’s, eyes, nose, or mouth, or is breathed in.
- Symptoms in people usually begin 2 to 7 days after exposure to the virus.
- Bird flu infections in people most commonly happen after close contact with infected animals.
- Most people who have developed H5 bird flu have had mild symptoms, although symptoms have ranged from mild to severe and have included death. Some people may not have any symptoms.
- Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis) has been the most common symptom reported.
- Other mild symptoms can be similar to seasonal flu, including mild fever, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, muscle/body aches, headache, and fatigue.
- Severe disease can cause difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, or seizures. Complications of H5N1 infection can include pneumonia, multi-organ failure, sepsis, inflammation of the brain, and death.
- The best way to prevent H5N1 infection is to avoid exposure to sick or dead wild birds or other animals. Do not touch surfaces that might have saliva, mucous, or feces from these animals.
- If you must have direct contact with sick birds or other animals, wear personal protective equipment, including: N95 mask, safety goggles, gloves, boots, head cover, and fluid-resistant clothing.
- Do not eat or drink raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals that could be sick with H5N1 virus.
- Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to a safe internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses.
- If you think you might be sick with H5 bird flu, talk to your healthcare provider about what symptoms you are having and any exposures you have had to animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The overall risk of H5N1 infection to the public and zoo visitors remains low, but people who worked closely with infected animals are at higher risk of infection. If you had direct contact with an infected animal, monitor your health for 10 days. If you develop symptoms of bird flu, notify your healthcare provider and tell them in advance that you were in contact with sick or dead birds.
The zoo has the most up-to-date information on their animals.
Bird flu is a type of influenza virus that usually infects birds. This subtype of virus is widespread in wild birds, but has recently caused outbreaks in poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, and dairy cows. The risk of bird flu infection to the general public is low, but people who work directly with sick or dying birds or other animals are at higher risk.
Many different types of animals can get bird flu. Some of the birds that can be affected include chickens, turkeys, and wild birds including shorebirds, like storks, and waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans. Some other domestic animals that can be affected include cats, pigs, goats, and dairy cows. Some wild animals that can be affected include seals, fox, tigers, and lions.
Most people in the United States who have had bird flu had mild symptoms, with eye redness and irritation being the most common symptom. Other mild symptoms may include: fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some people can develop severe disease or complications due to bird flu, including a high fever, difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, seizures, and death.
Signs of bird flu in animals differ depending on the type of animal. In chickens and turkeys, the symptoms can be sudden death, low energy or appetite, nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing, lack of coordination, diarrhea, and decreased egg production. In cats or dogs, signs can include severe depression, eye and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, trouble breathing and neurologic signs like trouble walking, circling, seizures, or blindness. Cats are typically more severely affected than dogs. In dairy cattle, signs can include low appetite and decreased milk production or thickened milk.
The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals and any surfaces that could be contaminated with their saliva, mucous, or feces. If you must have contact with sick or dying animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment, including an N95 mask, disposable gloves, safety goggles, fluid-resistant clothing, boots, and a head or hair cover.
Pets can be exposed to bird flu by eating or coming in contact with sick or dying wild birds or their environment. They can also become infected by drinking raw milk from infected cows or eating undercooked or raw meat. Although it’s unlikely that dogs will become infected, several cats have become severely ill with bird flu. To prevent pets from becoming sick, keep cats indoors and do not allow dogs or cats to have contact with birds or other wildlife. Thoroughly cook raw meat before feeding it to your pet. If your pet develops signs of bird flu, contact your veterinarian immediately and discuss your pet’s symptoms with them before bringing them into the clinic.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is closely monitoring CDPH is closely monitoring the bird flu situation and risk bird flu poses to people. For Chicagoans who know they have been exposed to bird flu, CDPH monitors their health for 10 days after their exposure. If they develop symptoms of bird flu during that time, CDPH will make sure they can be seen safely by a health care provider and receive any needed treatment and testing.
While bird flu is circulating, do not attempt to pick up or handle a sick or dying bird. If you see 5 or more dead birds in one location, please report it to a IDNR wildlife biologist. Do not bring birds into a veterinary clinic or wildlife center.
The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend removing backyard feeders unless you also have poultry, such as a backyard flock. If you care for poultry, you should prevent any contact between wild birds and poultry.
