Preventing Bird Flu Infections

Avoid sources of exposure

The best way to prevent H5N1 bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible.

Avian influenza A virus infections in people happen most often after close, prolonged and unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) contact with infected birds, dairy cows, other animals or contaminated surfaces. People with close or prolonged contact with infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments are at greater risk of infection.

How it spreads

Infected birds and other animals can spread avian influenza A viruses to people via their saliva, mucous, and feces (poop), or other body fluids (e.g., cow milk). Human infections with avian influenza A viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. This usually occurs after direct contact with sick animals but can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has virus on it and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.

What to do to protect yourself

• As a general precaution, whenever possible people should avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, dairy cows and other animals and observe them only from a distance.
• If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds, dairy cows, or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian bird influenza A virus infection.
• Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection or in areas known to have infected herds.

Who is impacted

People with job-related or recreational exposures to birds or other avian influenza A(H5) virus-infected animals are at greater risk of infection. Learn more about who is at highest risk: About Bird Flu | Bird Flu | CDC

If you find a sick or dead wild bird or other animal

• First, check with your local and State governments about their policies for collecting dead and testing sick or dead animals.
• You can contact health departments or state wildlife agencies for information about reporting animals that look sick or dead in your area.
• People should avoid unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals.
• Wildlife agencies regularly investigate reports of sick or dead animals. This type of reporting could help with the early detection of illnesses like West Nile virus or H5N1 bird flu.
• If local authorities tell you to throw away the bird's carcass (body), don't touch it with your bare hands. Use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out to place the body in a garbage bag, which can then be thrown away in your regular trash.

Information for other groups who have contact with infected birds or other animals

Other groups of people who may have contact with birds or other animals infected or potentially infected with avian influenza A viruses include hunters and people who have backyard or hobbyist flocks. People should report sick birds or other animals or unusual bird or other animal deaths to the state or the federal government, either through their state veterinarian or by calling USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Find additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks on USDA's APHIS website.

Information for hunters

• Do not handle wild birds or other animals that are obviously sick or found dead.
• While cleaning and handling game, do not eat, drink, or place anything in your mouth.
• More information on general safety guidelines for hunters handling wildlife and their tissues is available from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's website.

If you become sick after exposure

CDC has information available for different groups of people who become sick after contact with infected birds, dairy cows, or other infected or potentially infected animals.

People who become sick within 10 days of their exposure to infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should isolate at home away from their household members and should not go to work or school until they are proven not to have avian influenza A virus infection. The local or state public health department should be notified and can assist in testing if needed, monitoring and advising when isolation is no longer required.

For more information about bird flu and what to do if you have been exposed to bird flu, visit: What To Know About Bird Flu

Food Safety

• Eating uncooked or undercooked poultry or beef or drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk can make you sick.
• Cooking poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.
• Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk. Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.

Traveling

Currently, CDC does not recommend against travel to any countries or U.S. states because avian influenza A viruses have been detected in wild birds, poultry, other animals, or people. CDC recommends that travelers to countries and states with H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in animals or people:

• Do not visit poultry farms, bird markets, or other places where live poultry are raised, kept, or sold, if possible. If you must visit such places, wear personal protective equipment and avoid touching poultry or other birds.
• Do not visit dairy farms with sick cows, unless wearing personal protective equipment.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked poultry products and wash your hands after touching uncooked poultry.
• Practice good hygiene.
• Visit a doctor if you become sick during or after travel. Tell the doctor that you might have been exposed to infected birds.

Treatment

CDC currently recommends treatment as soon as possible with flu antiviral drugs for people with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. Antiviral treatment works best when started as soon as symptoms begin. If you get sick after being in close contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals, contact your state or local health department and a health care provider right away. They may have you tested for H5N1 bird flu, and a health care provider may write you a prescription for an antiviral drug to treat your illness. It's important to take the medication as directed.

Available data on avian influenza A viruses spreading worldwide suggest that avian influenza A virus infections can be treated with current flu antiviral drugs.

Antivirals may also be given soon after unprotected exposure (not using respiratory and eye protection) to a sick person with confirmed or probable A(H5N1) virus infection or after unprotected exposure to sick or dead poultry or other infected animals to help prevent infection and illness.

Keep Reading: How to Treat Bird Flu Viruses in People

Vaccination

The seasonal flu vaccine is not designed to protect against H5N1 bird flu.

Getting a seasonal flu vaccine each year is recommended for everyone 6 months and older with rare exceptions. A seasonal flu vaccine will reduce the risk of seasonal flu but will not protect against H5N1 bird flu. However, people who work with or who have frequent exposure to infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should get a seasonal flu vaccine to help protect against seasonal flu. Seasonal flu vaccination can reduce the prevalence and severity of seasonal flu. It may reduce the very rare risk of coinfection with a human seasonal virus and an avian virus at the same time, and therefore a theoretical risk that reassortment between the two viruses might occur. While such dual infections appear very rare, they could l lead to genetic reassortment between different influenza A viruses. A new influenza A virus with a unique combination of genes from animal and human viruses could pose a significant public health concern.

The U.S. Government is developing vaccines against avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in case they are needed. Learn more at About Bird Flu | Bird Flu | CDC

If you're a clinician, laboratorian, or public health worker, visit Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians for the latest guidance.