AVIAN FLU

 WHAT IS AVIAN FLU?
The avian flu is dangerous  infection caused by avian influenza virus called H5N1. This virus is very common among wild birds.  H5N1 actually  lives in their intestine. However, these wild birds can infect domesticated birds including CHICKENS, ducks, and geese and kill them. The flu is spread among birds through saliva and droppings. Chickens and other domesticated birds get Avian Flu when they are in contact with infected birds or their saliva and droppings. The virus can spread from infected hen to the egg as well.
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases have been reported since 1997.

Chicken on farm in Croatia. In November of 2005 Croatian officials announced that they discovered the chicken infected with H5N1 on a farm in Northern Croatia.
 FACTS
Avian flu affects all types of birds, not just chicken
Birds will die of this flu, and if not they have to be destroyed
the disease is spread through droppings and saliva
hen can pass disease to an egg
There has been no cases of Avian Flu on North American farms yet (as of April 2006)
people can contract avian flu if they are handling infected  birds or surfaces with infected bird droppings
people can not pass avian flu to another human
eating chicken meat is safe because heat destroys the virus
CDC believes that Avian Flu is more likely to reach America through Asia and Alaska then across the ocean
 AVIAN FLU VIRUS
Influenza A (H5N1) virus - also called the "H5N1 virus" - is an influenza A virus that occurs mainly in birds. The H5N1 virus is very contagious among birds worldwide and is deadly.
There are many A influenza subtype viruses.  They do not usually infect humans, even though they can. Influenza A viruses are always changing and may adapt to infect humans.

Gold rods are H5N1 virus
Photo courtesy www.cdc.gov

TREATMENT AND VACCINE
In laboratories, studies have shown that the prescriptions available for human flu viruses may work in treating the bird flu. However, the flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medicines might not always work. There is no vaccine for this flu, but you should get a flu shot anyway. This may not prevent Avian Flu, but will keep you safe from other dangerous flu viruses that can weaken your immune system.

HUMAN RISK

The risk of bird flu infecting humans is usually very low. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry, there is a risk to becoming infected if you have contact with infected birds or contaminated bird flu surfaces. In such situations, you should avoid contacting infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and be very careful when handling uncooked chicken.

Symptoms of bird flu in humans may include regular flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) and can also have severe and life threatening complications.
Little more than 50% of people who get Avian Flu died so far.

The spread of the H5N1 virus has been rare and has not continued to spread beyond one person. Scientists are concerned that because all influenza viruses are able to change, the H5N1 could infect a human and spread easily from human to human. Since these viruses do not usually infect humans, there is little immunity against them in humans. If the H5N1 virus does change through a genetic mutation, there might be an avian flu pandemic (outbreak of disease) around the world!
 CAN WE STILL EAT CHICKEN?


The answer is YES! Chicken is still safe to eat but everyone should follow the safety rules:

1. Cook chicken thoroughly since heat will kill H5N1 virus

2. Freezing and refrigerators do not kill this virus

3. Buy chicken from the stores

4.Eggs can be infected on their shell and inside - make sure to cook them well.

To educate people about safety of eating poultry during the outbreak of the Avian Flu, USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, created lots of materials.



You can get these materials  and photos free from the USAPEEC web site or you can order a CD with photos and materials.



Click the pictures below to go to USAPEEC. org (external link)

Photos courtesy of USAPEEC
WHAT TO DO IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY THAT HAS AVIAN FLU CASES!

1. Stay away from rural areas, small chicken farms or any place where you can get in contact with poultry
2. Do not buy chicken or eggs from farmer's market - buy packaged products
3. Wash hands as often as possible .
4. If you can, get flu vaccination ( it will not prevent avian flu, but will prevent you from getting other flu's if you already contracted avian flu)
5. It is safe to eat fully cooked poultry because the heat kills this virus
6. Make sure to clean and disinfect all surfaces that were in contact with raw chicken
8. Avoid products that are made with raw eggs