How Is Bird Flu Transmitted to Humans?

Bird flu (or avian influenza) is a viral infection typically involving birds, other wild animals and livestock. The virus generally does not circulate in human populations, but people can contract bird flu, and some human cases have been reported.

This article covers how bird flu is transmitted to humans and how to protect yourself from the disease.

How People Contract Bird Flu

While bird flu is rare in humans, it can occur. People typically contract bird flu after prolonged, unprotected contact with infected animals or surfaces those animals have touched.

Infected animals shed the virus through their saliva, mucous and feces. So, you could contract bird flu from activities like:

• Holding or petting an infected animal
• Walking through an animal pen, touching your shoe, and later touching your mouth or rubbing your eyes
• Getting airborne virus particles in your mouth, nose or eyes

Cooking or pasteurization of animal products inactivates the virus. Consequently, you can’t get bird flu from properly prepared food or pasteurized milk.

There have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human bird flu transmission in the U.S. to date.

How To Protect Yourself From Bird Flu

While it’s rare for humans to contract bird flu, it’s best not to take chances, especially if you work or spend recreational time around chickens, waterfowl, livestock or other potential carriers. Take the following steps to lower your bird flu risk:

• Wear a mask and other protective gear. It’s crucial to wear a mask, gloves and goggles when you’re around potential bird flu carriers. Protective gear helps prevent the virus from reaching your mouth, nose and eyes and entering your body.
• Avoid infected animals. If you know an animal has bird flu or has been exposed to the virus, don’t touch or spend time near it.
• Wash your hands often. Frequent, thorough handwashing reduces your risk of many illnesses, including bird flu. It’s essential to wash after being around wild or domesticated birds or livestock. Domesticated birds are those kept by humans for companionship, food, or other purposes.
• Avoid transporting the virus into your home. Droppings and other material can make their way into your home on the bottoms of your shoes, gloves you’ve worn while handling animals, etc. If you’ve touched or been near potential bird flu carriers, remove your shoes and other potentially contaminated items outside.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk. You shouldn’t drink or even handle milk that hasn’t been pasteurized.
• Get a seasonal flu shot. The vaccine doesn’t prevent bird flu, but it lowers your risk of severe illness and the accompanying strain on your immune system from a bird flu infection.

Questions About Bird Flu? Talk With Your Baptist Health Doctor.

Bird flu cases in humans are rare, and when a person gets sick, the symptoms (fever, fatigue, sore throat, pink eye and others) can be mild or severe. People who are sick with the bird flu virus infection can be treated with the same prescription drugs that are used to treat people sick from human seasonal flu virus infection.

Learning about the disease and how to prevent it is especially important for people who have other health challenges that increase their risk of severe illness or complications. If you have questions about bird flu, are experiencing symptoms or think you may have been exposed, contact your doctor. They can discuss whether testing and treatment with antiviral medications are appropriate in your case.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health doctor, you can find one near you in our online provider directory.

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