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Home > Health Topics > Avian Flu
Avian FluAvian Flu, also called bird flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that can infect humans as well as birds. It is caused by a flu-like virus. Avian Flu virus does not usually infect humans but a number of cases of human Avian Flu have occurred since 1997. There are no cases of Avian Flu in the U.S. Chickens, ducks, geese and other wild water birds are especially at risk to get the disease. Avian flu can be deadly to both birds and humans. Facts about Avian Flu When it Affects HumansThe symptoms of Avian Flu in humans are similar to those of the seasonal flu:
Humans can get Avian Flu from contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces, or standing pond water. Infected birds shed the virus in saliva and droppings. A person can catch the Avian Flu virus when an infected chicken coughs or sneezes onto the person's face, or by breathing in bird dropping particles. The World Health Organization (WHO) is still looking into whether Avian Flu spreads from person to person. The virus is not spread by eating cooked meat or eggs so there is no danger in eating cooked chicken, duck or other poultry. Treatment for Avian Flu in HumansThe effectiveness of antiviral drugs is unknown, and there is no vaccine against human Avian Flu. However, health care providers may give regular flu vaccine to high-risk groups such as poultry workers, to lessen the risk that they may become infected with both the human and bird flu viruses at the same time. The mixing of human and Avian Flu viruses could produce a new type of flu to which humans have no defenses. It is possible that the new type would be easily passed from person to person, which could cause worldwide outbreak (pandemic) and even death. If Avian Flu is identified in the U.S., these are things you can do to protect yourself:
Things you can do to protect your bird from Avian Flu:
Fact Sheet on Avian Flu (PDF)
Avian Flu Fact Sheet for Hunters (PDF - California Department of Fish and Game) Links
For more information about Avian Flu, call the Contra Costa Public Health at 925-313-6740.
Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.
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