Avian Influenza Prevention

May, 2010 Vol. 1 Issue 1

What You Should Know About

Bird Flu and Avian Influenza
Q: What is the different between “Bird Flu” and
Avian Influenza (AI)?

A: Avian Influenza (AI) is an infectious disease of

Public transportation riders in Hong Kong don
surgical masks to prevent the transmission of
diseases.
birds caused by type A influenza viruses. Wild
migratory waterfowl, like ducks and geese, carry the
virus without showing clinical signs. More
susceptible domestic poultry, including chickens and
turkeys, contract the disease from contaminated water
sources, feces, or mingling with infected waterfowl.
Outbreaks of the virus occur within the domestic
flocks. Clinical signs in birds range from mild illness
to epidemics of highly contagious, rapidly fatal
disease. Live bird markets are also believed to play a
role in AI outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks.

Although many people use the terms Bird Flu

and Avian Influenza synonymously, Bird Flu actually
refers to the highly pathogenic strain of Avian
Influenza H5N1. In 1997 the highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or bird flu, was discovered
in humans in Hong Kong. Since then the virus has
received unprecedented publicity. The bird flu
outbreak has since spread to 14 countries in Asia,
Africa, and the Middle East, and, as of September 24,
2009, infected 442 people. Two hundred sixty-two of
those infected people died.

Millions of birds have also died or been culled to

prevent further spread of the virus. Although the
number of people infected with avian influenza is
relatively few compared to seasonal human flu, the
Avian Influenza Virus
percentage of people who die from HPAI H5N1 is
very high (approximately 60%). Public health
officials are concerned that HPAI H5N1 could mutate
into a form that could spread from human to human.
Currently, human outbreaks and deaths have resulted
mainly from direct contact with infected birds.
 Avian Influenza Prevention
May, 2010 Vol. 1 Issue 1

Q: How does AI and/or bird flu affect

humans?

A: Avian influenza viruses normally only infect

birds and pigs. The first documented infection of
humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, when
the H5N1 strain caused severe respiratory disease
in 18 humans (6 died). Extensive investigation of
that outbreak found that close contact with live
infected poultry was the source of human
infection. Genetic studies determined that the
virus had jumped directly from birds to humans.
The spread of infection in birds increases the
possibility for infection of humans. There is
concern that as more humans become infected, the
risk increases that persons infected with both
Q: What is being done to protect the general
avian and human influenza stains could become
public against bird flu?
“mixing vessels” for the viruses, resulting in a
new, dangerous strain of influenza virus that
A: Quarantine and destruction of infected or
could spread easily from person to person.
potentially exposed poultry flocks are standard
control measures that aim at preventing the spread
of AI to other farms and the establishment of the
virus in the local poultry population. Avian
Q: What do I need to know to protect my
influenza viruses are highly contagious and are
family?
readily carried by contaminated equipment,
vehicles, feed, cages, or clothing. Strict bio-
A: Because of the possibility that some types of
security and sanitary measures on farms are
bird flu viruses can jump from birds to humans, it
essential.
is best to avoid visiting places like backyard
poultry flocks and live bird markets. Flu shots
(vaccinations) can reduce the likelihood of
humans becoming infected with both avian and
human influenza strains, reducing the risk of the
development of a new, dangerous human flu. Prepared by: Dr. Nathaniel Tablante, Extension
Specialist, Poultry Health
Reviewed by: Pamela B. King, Extension Agent

Maryland Cooperative Extension

1-800-342-2507

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