Bird flu has been making headlines for months. Since February, it has killed 36.6 million birds in the U.S., some of whom were put to death to keep the infection from spreading, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The good news is that bird flu rarely infects humans, and so far, only two human cases have been reported.
The first human infection occurred in late 2021 in the United Kingdom, and it did not spread to anyone else. The most recent case popped up at the end of April in Colorado, and it also seems to be an isolated infection. Both people who contracted this strain of bird flu were working closely with birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC stresses that health risk to the public remains low. But you probably still have questions, like what is bird flu, exactly? And how would I know if I have it? Here, infectious disease experts explain everything you need to know.
What is bird flu, exactly?
Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is a disease caused by a family of viruses known as avian influenza Type A viruses, according to the CDC. The virus originates in wild birds but can spread to domestic poultry and other animals, causing large outbreaks. Bird flu spreads when infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and poop, the CDC explains. Just like the human flu, the virus can mutate—the strain that’s currently circulating is called H5N1, and it’s extremely contagious among birds.
How can bird flu infect humans?
“Bird flu mainly infects and spreads within bird populations, but occasionally it can spread to other species, as well—including humans,” Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells SELF.
READ RELATED: Last call! Spring Breakers rush to buy booze in Miami Beach before 6pm curfew after crackdown
Indeed, the CDC notes that it’s rare for bird flu to infect humans. But when it does happen it’s because someone has been in close quarters with birds on a farm, or they work with animals. “Sometimes, if you live or work closely with birds, the virus manages to get into you and cause illness—but it rarely spreads to others,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, tells SELF.
Why doesn’t bird flu spread easily from person to person? It could be because bird viruses have a hard time latching on to cells in our nose and throat in the first place, according to an older study published in the journal Nature. The regular flu latches on easily, but the bird flu (thankfully) does not. 1 This means that the virus can’t get into our cells efficiently enough to cause an infection. Since bird flu doesn’t spread easily from bird to human, it doesn’t readily transmit from person to person either.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of the human flu (think: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath), and they can range from mild to severe, according to the CDC. In some cases, “you can get very sick,” notes Dr. Schaffner. Other, less common symptoms, may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or seizures, per the CDC.
How can I avoid bird flu?
Again, the chances of you contracting bird flu are super low, unless you work with birds. If you do, the CDC has a list of tips for minimizing your risk. The most important thing to do is wear protective gear, such as gloves, a medical-grade face mask, and eye protection when working with birds. Afterward, it’s important to wash your hands with soap and water, change your clothes, and then throw away your gloves and facemask to avoid contamination.
Source: SELF
