What is avian flu? (Adapted from N.Y. State Department of Health)

Avian influenza (bird flu) is normally found in birds.

• Outbreaks of a less severe strain of avian influenza in birds have occurred previously in the U.S. and have been contained.

• A severe form of bird flu is widespread in Asia.

• U.S. and state of Arizona officials are strengthening surveillance to identify the disease in birds.

It’s possible for avian influenza to spread to humans, but not easily.

• Bird flu rarely affects humans, because it requires close contact with infected birds.

• The avian influenza virus may change so it could spread more easily and cause a pandemic.

•  Avian influenza can cause serious disease and death in humans.

An outbreak is possible, if the virus changes to a form that is spread easily from person to person.

• Disease in birds can be spread from country to country through bird migration.

• Plans are being developed to produce vaccine quickly if a pandemic begins.

• Tamiflu will be stockpiled to help treat avian influenza in humans.

What is H5N1 flu?

• The H5N1 flu is just one of many avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. 

•  The Asian H5N1 is a severe form of avian influenza that has been reported in birds (mostly in poultry) in parts of Asia and Europe. 

•  The Asian H5N1 avian flu has also infected and sickened over 100 people in Asia.

Has the H5N1 avian flu been found in Arizona?
No! The H5N1 avian flu has not been found in anywhere in the U.S. 

Do we have avian influenza viruses and “bird flu” in the United States?  

• Yes, avian influenza viruses are found in wild bird populations in North America and occasionally infect domestic poultry. For example, in 2004 outbreaks of avian influenza in U.S. poultry occurred in the New England states and Texas, and were traced to birds from live bird markets. These outbreaks were not caused by the same "bird flu" virus (H5N1) that is currently circulating in Asia. The U.S. outbreaks were quickly contained and there was no impact on human health.

•  To date, the H5N1 “bird flu” virus has not been detected in the U.S. or any country in the western hemisphere.

What is the risk of the Asian H5N1 avian flu arriving in Arizona?

• The risk of the H5N1 avian flu infection among birds in Arizona is very low at this time. 

•  No poultry or poultry products from countries affected with the H5N1 avian flu are legally allowed to enter the United States. 

How do people become infected with avian influenza viruses? 

• Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. 

• The spread of avian influenza viruses from an ill person to another person has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person. 

•  During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have direct or close contact with infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. 

Is it safe to cook and eat chicken, other poultry and eggs?

• Yes. It is safe to continue eating poultry and eggs. 

• There is no evidence to suggest that you can become infected by eating properly cooked poultry and eggs.

  Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection against this virus, as it does against many viruses and bacteria, including Salmonella and E.coli. Safe food handling and preparation is important at all times. Practice safe food handling and preparation every day: 

• Wash hands before and after handling food; 

• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other foods; 

• After cutting raw meats, wash hands, cutting board, knife, and counter tops with hot, soapy water; 

• Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water; and

•  Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the proper temperature. Cook whole birds to 180 °F; breasts to 170 °F; drumsticks, thighs and wings to 180 °F; and a minimum oven temperature of 325 °F.

Is it safe to hunt, field dress and eat wild game birds?
Yes! It is still safe to hunt and eat game. However, hunters are always encouraged to wear gloves when skinning and preparing any game meat (this includes birds and mammals) and to cook meat thoroughly before serving it. 

I have a dead bird in my yard. Can I have it tested for the H5N1 avian flu? 

• No. At this time, health officials are not accepting and testing dead birds for the H5N1 avian flu. 

• State and federal departments of agriculture are routinely testing chickens for evidence of infection with the H5N1 avian flu and other poultry diseases. State and federal wildlife officials are testing wild waterfowl, such as wild ducks and geese, and shorebirds, such as plovers and sandpipers, for the Asian bird flu in only select areas of the state. Wildlife officials are NOT accepting backyard dead wild birds for testing for bird flu virus.

• During the mosquito season (March through October), health officials in Arizona have been accepting dead wild birds* for West Nile virus testing, except for pigeons, doves, and baby birds. 
  *Dead birds must be fresh. Contact your County Environmental Health Office to report/submit dead wild birds for West Nile virus testing.

I have a neighbor who feeds and attracts lots of birds/pigeons. Am I at increased risk for the H5N1 avian flu?

• No. Almost all human cases of the H5N1 avian flu in Asia have involved poultry handlers that had substantial contact with birds. 

• There is no evidence to suggest that bird feeding will put you at risk for the H5N1 avian flu. 

Can the health department stop people from feeding birds?

• There are no state public health laws that prohibit people from feeding birds. Also, in most areas there are no local/city ordinances that address this issue. Some home owner’s associations have adopted rules that prohibit excessive bird feeding. Consult your neighborhood home owner’s association (if one exists). If bird feeding is permissible, it is still important to be considerate to your neighbors. 

• People who do enjoy feeding birds are encouraged to do so in open areas such as parks where the attraction of large numbers of birds will be less likely to upset neighbors. 

Can I get the H5N1 avian flu from pigeon droppings? 

• All human cases of bird flu have been in Asia and Eastern Europe. 
  Most human cases probably came from frequent, direct contact with infected birds or their droppings.

• Avian flu is not easily transmitted to humans. In areas that have had human cases of H5N1, chickens commonly roam free and potentially contaminating the environment. In addition, because families often depend upon these birds for income and sustenance, they often butcher sick birds and consume them. Hand butchering sick birds exposes people to high levels of the virus.

• The risk of getting sick with avian flu from infrequent contact with pigeon droppings is extremely low to non-existent and can be further decreased by proper hand washing.

What kinds of birds does avian influenza infect?
Naturally occurring avian influenza viruses in wild birds are generally associated with waterfowl (ducks and geese), gulls, and some species of shore birds and typically do not cause illness in these birds. The viruses can occasionally be transmitted from these wild birds to domestic birds such as chickens, quail and turkeys. In some cases these viruses can cause severe disease in domestic birds. This is the case with the H5N1 avian flu virus which has been circulating in domestic birds in Asia at least since 1997. Although this virus probably originated in wild birds, it has changed and adapted to domestic poultry. 

Can a person become infected with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus by cleaning a bird feeder? 

• There is no evidence of H5N1 having caused disease in birds or people in the United States. 

• At the present time, the risk of becoming infected with H5N1 virus from bird feeders is low. Generally, perching birds (Passeriformes) are the predominate type of birds at feeders. While there are documented cases of H5N1 causing death in some Passeriformes (e.g., house sparrow, Eurasian tree-sparrow, house finch), most of the wild birds that are traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl and shore birds.

What precautions can be taken to reduce the risk for infection from wild birds in the United States?  

• As a general rule, the public should observe wildlife, including wild birds, from a distance. This protects you from possible exposure to pathogens and minimizes disturbance to the animal. 

• Avoid touching wildlife. If there is contact with wildlife do not rub eyes, eat, drink, or smoke before washing hands with soap and water. Do not pick up diseased or dead wildlife.

What can I do to protect myself from bird flu?

• Travelers to affected countries are advised to avoid poultry farms and live bird markets during their visit. In addition, wild waterfowl or waterfowl showing signs of disease should be avoided in these countries.

• Although birds in Arizona are unlikely to be infected with bird flu, it is always a good idea to avoid contact with birds showing signs of disease. 

• People who raise waterfowl or poultry should immediately report any suspicious disease in their birds to their veterinarian. 

Should I wear a surgical mask to prevent exposure to avian influenza? 
Currently, wearing a mask is not recommended for routine use (e.g., in public) for preventing influenza exposure. In the United States, disposable surgical and procedure masks have been widely used in health-care settings to prevent exposure to respiratory infections, but the masks have not been used commonly in community settings, such as schools, businesses, and public gatherings. 

We have a small flock of poultry such as chickens, ducks or geese. Is it safe to keep them? 

• Yes. In the United States there is no need at present to remove a flock of poultry because of concerns regarding avian influenza. 

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors potential infection of poultry and poultry products by avian influenza viruses and other infectious disease agents. 
  What can I do to protect my poultry (chickens, turkeys, domesticated ducks & geese)? 

• Poultry producers should strengthen biosecurity practices to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into their flocks. Sound biosecurity practices can be found on the USDA Backyard Biosecurity for the Birds webpage at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/hpai.html , which include:

• Protect poultry flocks from coming into contact with wild or migratory birds. Keep poultry away from any source of water that could have been contaminated by wild birds. 

• Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm. 

• Provide clean clothing and disinfection facilities for employees. 

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) entering and leaving the farm. 

• Do not loan to, or borrow equipment or vehicles from, other farms. 

• Change footwear and clothing before working with your own flock after visiting another farm or live-bird market or avoid visiting another bird farm if possible.

• Do not bring birds from slaughter channels, especially those from live-bird markets, back to the farm. 

Are my pet birds at risk for the H5N1 avian flu?
At present, the H5N1 avian flu is not known to be here in the United States. Those with pet birds, such as parrots, cockatiels, love birds or budgies should not worry about their pets getting “bird flu” if they have not been out of the country or in contact with birds from other countries.

• In order to protect your pet birds from other avian diseases, keep your birds isolated from wild birds. Isolation of newly acquired or ill birds from others for 30 days is recommended. 

• If your pet bird or poultry becomes sick, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis & treatment.

How does avian influenza spread among birds? 
Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with excretions or secretions. • Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus. 

What symptoms do birds with avian flu demonstrate? 

• Symptoms associated with most avian flu viruses are typically mild. Decreased food consumption, respiratory signs (coughing and sneezing) and a decrease in egg production might demonstrate the presence of the disease. 

• Birds that are affected with the severe forms of avian flu such as H5N1 have a greater level of sickness and could exhibit one or more of the following clinical signs: sudden death; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling; purple discoloration; nasal discharge; coughing, sneezing; lack of coordination and diarrhea.
  

My bird is sick. What should I do?

• If your bird is an exotic pet bird such a parrot or parakeet, take your bird to your local veterinarian. 

• If your bird is poultry (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, domesticated ducks, or domesticated geese), call your local veterinarian. If this is not possible, and symptoms in your birds are severe, please report the illness to the Arizona Department of Agriculture Livestock and Poultry Hotline Number at 1-888-742-5334.

My pet dog/cat brought a dead bird into my house. Can my pet dog or cat get sick from avian flu?

• Dogs and cats are considered to be resistant to avian flu virus. 

• Illness with the H5N1 avian flu has been reported among domestic and exotic cats in Asia, which is unusual. 

• If your pet is ill, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis & treatment.

• Since the H5N1 avian flu virus has not been identified in Arizona or the United States, dogs and cats which may capture wild birds are not at risk for this disease. 

I am feeling sick. Can I be tested for the H5N1 avian flu?

• If you are sick, consult your doctor. Testing is available for flu viruses which typically occur during the cold and flu season. 

• At this time, testing for the H5N1 avian flu would not be appropriate- except in cases where the patient had traveled to a H5N1 avian flu-affected area of the world, and/or had close exposure to H5N1 infected birds or persons. 

If avian flu is confirmed in birds in U.S. (adapted from N.Y. State Department of Health):

This does NOT mean that people will get sick.

• Bird flu rarely affects humans, because it requires close contact with infected birds.

• Officials are watching closely for any increase in flu-like illnesses, just as a precaution.

• There have been no avian influenza cases in people in the U.S.

There are things to do to protect your self. 

• Don’t handle any wild birds or poultry with your bare hands.

• Don’t attract wild birds with bird feeders or birdbaths.

• ALWAYS cook poultry thoroughly and wash your hands and any surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry.