Avian flu viruses, while quite contagious within bird populations, do not usually infect humans. While there are cases of transmission to humans, the incidents are rare and typically only occur when people are in direct contact with flocks of infected birds. More information about Avian Influenza and human health implications can be found here:

The symptoms of HPAI in humans are very similar to other forms of influenza: fever, cough, muscle aches and pains, conjunctivitis, digestive and respiratory disorders.

Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 virus has caused the largest number of reported cases of severe disease and death in humans. In the current situation in Asia, more than half of the people infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults.

Transmission of HPAI through the handling of dead wild birds or their parts, such as feathers, is possible. Most human cases of HPAI have occurred in rural or peri-urban areas where many households keep small domestic poultry flocks. The HPAI virus is most often transmitted to humans through exposure during slaughter, defeathering, butchering and preparation of domestic poultry for cooking.

Humans can become infected with avian influenza from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected wild birds or domestic poultry. Because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that HPAI virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another, in which case the pandemic threat will be inevitable.

There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the HPAI virus that is being detected in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine that will protect humans began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is now underway.

While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. The only documented cases of transmission to humans are from poultry; these cases include both highly pathogenic and low pathogenic strains of avian influenza. the present time, close contact with infected domestic poultry has been the primary way that people have become infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus.

Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses do not usually infect humans, but a number of confirmed cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997, usually in persons who had close contact with infected poultry. One bird flu virus strain known as avian influenza A (H5N1) has been of particular concern in recent years. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains situation updates and cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1).

The avian influenza virus can be spread by the droppings or other material excreted from the eyes, nose and mouth of infected birds. The virus can remain viable in droppings for long periods, spreading among birds and animals through ingestion or inhalation of the droppings. Transmission from flock to flock is usually the result of the virus being carried on infected equipment , equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, and the boots or other clothing of people who come in contact with the virus.

Contaminants in drinking water affects one and all. It can travel up the food chain by affecting the lower organisms, consequently affecting the food supply available for the animals of humans. Aquatic animals can accumulate the contaminants in their bodies and cause serious health hazards to the animals or humans who consume them.

People infected with the current strand of the avian virus (H5N1) have shown everything from typical human influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other life-threatening complications. Symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which specific virus subtype and strain caused the infection. Experts believe it highly unlikely that a pandemic influenza virus could be created by terrorists.

Avian influenza (AI) viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus present in Asia, may, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans. Transmission to humans has occurred by people having close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments. Due to the potential for human infection, it is recommended that those people working with or in contact with poultry suspected of being infected with AI wear protective clothing, including face masks, goggles, gloves and boots.

Two main risks for human health from avian influenza are 1) the risk of direct infection when the virus passes from the infected bird to humans, sometimes resulting in severe disease; and 2) the risk that the virus - if given enough opportunities - will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person.

Avian influenza is not new. As a poultry disease, it has been recognized since the beginning of the last century, and AI viruses have long been present in wild birds. In 1997, a high pathogenic strain of H5N1 AI emerged in Southeast Asia. This particular virus, which is marked by rapid illness and high mortality in infected birds, has since spread throughout numerous Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and European countries.

Major changes, called shift, also can occur, and these strains tend to cause larger outbreaks of flu. Vaccine manufacturers modify the seasonal influenza shot each year to reflect the changes in the circulating virus.

There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemmaglutinin HA and neuraminidinase NA proteins). There are 16 different HA subtypes and nine different NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Each combination is a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds. To date only the H5 and H7 subtypes are known to cause the highly pathogenic form of the disease.

It is possible for a human to acquire the H5N1 HPAI virus from another infected human if there is extremely close contact. However, scientists say that the virus has not yet developed the ability to pass easily from human to human, and human-to-human transmission is extremely unlikely.

Avian influenza rarely causes disease in humans. The mechanism of transmission from birds to humans is poorly understood. Transmission to humans may possibly occur via direct contact with the excrement of contaminated poultry or birds. As yet, there is no evidence of transmission from one human to another. Vietnam and Thailand have reported human cases of infection with the H5N1 virus. There have been no human cases of H5N1 infection in Québec or Canada.

Humans have contracted avian influenza through close and direct contact with infected birds. Most human cases have occurred in rural areas where many households keep small poultry flocks which often roam freely. There have been no known outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in North America.

Avian influenza is an animal disease and dangerous mainly for birds. It is not very dangerous for humans. There are many different avian influenza viruses, most of which are completely harmless for humans. The avian influenza virus H5N1, which has now also been found in Germany, can infect humans. However, this happens very rarely and only in people who have intensive contact with infected poultry, in other words farmers and poultry breeders.

Answer: Not yet. It is possible that a vaccine using the H5N1 strain of influenza may give partial protection if that strain changes and spreads more easily among humans. Prototypes of an H5N1 vaccine are being developed by several manufacturers around the world, including Australia’s domestic manufacturer, CSL Limited. The government is committed to buying a substantial amount of H5N1 vaccine as soon as it is proven safe and effective (see Section 3.

Answer: The current anti-viral treatments, which are used successfully in the treatment of influenza, would be used in the treatment of avian influenza. What measures are being/will be implemented to screen travellers, students and business people arriving from overseas areas of concern for Avian Flu? There have been media reports of screening occurring at airports.

Answer: People need to have close contact with infected birds or poultry manure to get avian influenza. The virus is found in bird faeces and respiratory secretions. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus at this time.

Almost all cases of bird flu infection in humans were caused by direct exposure with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. However, risk of infection in humans is low and person-to-person transmission is exceptionally rare.

Humans are usually infected only through close contact with infected poultry. The severity of disease in humans varies from mild disease to severe respiratory disease. This depends on the strain of virus and characteristics of the person infected. Human deaths have been reported following severe disease.

Seasonal or common flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. Avian or bird flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. On rare occasions, these bird viruses can infect other species, including pigs and humans. Some strains of avian flu, such as H5N1, are deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans.

Yes, there are 144 different characterizations of the virus based on two groups of proteins found on the surface of the virus. One group is the hemagglutinin proteins (H), of which there are 16 different types (H1-H16); the other group is the neuraminidase proteins (N), of which there are 9 different types (N1-N9). The virus detected in several Asian and European countries is an H5N1 type of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus.

They can do so, but it is only as physical carriers e.g. virus can be spread on contaminated clothing, skin or equipment. Humans do not get infected.