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Bird flu, also known as H5N1, is a virus affecting wild birds, poultry, and occasionally dairy cows, with rare instances of transmission to humans. In the U.S. this year, four human cases have been reported in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas, all involving dairy farm workers exposed to infected cows.
Dr. Anita Shallal, an infectious disease specialist at Henry Ford Health, explains, “These are the first documented cases of mammal-to-human transmission of bird flu. Typically, H5 influenza is transmitted from birds to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to the general public to be low.” Here’s what you need to know about bird flu:
1. What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu? Human cases of bird flu have presented with symptoms such as conjunctivitis in three cases and respiratory illness in one case. Possible symptoms include cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, eye redness or irritation, headaches, body aches, fever, stuffy nose, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. “We have too few cases to determine all common symptoms,” says Dr. Shallal. “Fortunately, there have been no hospitalizations reported.”
2. How Can You Protect Yourself from Bird Flu? For those working closely with animals or animal waste, personal protective equipment is essential. According to CDC guidelines, monitoring your health for 10 days after exposure is crucial. Dr. Shallal advises avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, especially wild birds, poultry, and other livestock. Report any sick or deceased animals to the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
3. Is It Safe to Eat Poultry and Beef? Avoid consuming raw milk, beef, or poultry. Pasteurized milk and thoroughly cooked poultry and beef are safe, as cooking and pasteurization eliminate the virus.
4. Could Bird Flu Become a Pandemic? Currently, the risk of a pandemic is low, especially since there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission. The CDC continues to monitor the situation for any changes.
5. Can Bird Flu Cause Serious Illness? So far, only one person has experienced respiratory distress but has since recovered. “However, serious cases can occur, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems,” Dr. Shallal notes.
6. What Should You Do If Exposed to Bird Flu? Symptoms may appear within 7 to 14 days of exposure. The CDC recommends isolating for 10 days and contacting your local or state public health department for testing and monitoring. If diagnosed, antiviral medications may be prescribed, ideally starting as soon as symptoms develop.
While vaccines for bird flu are not yet available, the U.S. government is working on their development. Note that current seasonal flu vaccines do not protect against H5N1 bird flu. For more information, visit CDC.gov.
