Can avian influenza (avian flu) be transmitted to humans?
Pandemic Qu?becAvian 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.
Related QuestionsHow is avian influenza transmitted?
Avian influenza is transmitted from infected live birds to humans. Human-to-human transmission is inefficient. Outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry have recently been reported in some Asian and European countries, and some cases of human infection have been reported. Hong Kong has an effective surveillance system for influenza in birds and humans. The Department of Health has been closely monitoring the situation and has adopted appropriate preventive measures to guard against the disease.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine for humans against avian flu?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is no vaccine for humans against avian flu. The vaccine against human influenza virus does not protect against avian flu.
Related QuestionsCan avian flu infect humans?
Marine Forces Pacific - The largest field command in the Mar...Avian flu viruses do not usually infect humans. However, several cases of human infection with avian flu viruses have occurred since 1997. While it is unusual for people to get influenza infections directly from animals, sporadic human infections and outbreaks caused by certain avian influenza viruses and pig influenza viruses have been reported. These sporadic human infections and outbreaks, however, rarely result in sustained transmission among humans.
Related QuestionsWhat is avian influenza (avian flu/bird flu)?
Bird Flu: Frequently Asked QuestionsAvian influenza, or avian flu, is a common, naturally occurring virus in birds that has many forms or subtypes. Scientists believe all birds are susceptible to infection by some form of avian flu. Some birds, like waterfowl, can be infected with the virus but develop no signs of illness. In addition, the potency (virulence) varies greatly among the various subtypes of the avian flu virus.
Related QuestionsWhat is avian influenza or "bird flu"?
FAQ's - AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) AND AVIAN INFLUENZA A H5N...Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. All birds appear to be susceptible, though some species are more resistant to infection than others.
Related QuestionsWhat is the bird flu (avian influenza)?
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - The Ohio State UniversityThe bird flu (also referred to as avian flu) refers to strains of the influenza virus that infect birds. Avian flu occurs worldwide and was first identified over 100 years ago. Normally avian flu viruses don't infect species other than birds and pigs. In 1997, however, the first documented human case of avian flu occurred in Hong Kong.
Related QuestionsAvian Bird Flu FAQ - Frequently Asked QuestionsAvian Influenza is a virus that normally only infects birds, most notably ducks and chickens. There are numerous strains of the virus in which an infected bird may show few symptoms to others where the virus will rapidly overwhelm a birds immune system and prove fatal in the majority of cases due to acute respiratory failure. Once a single bird has become infected with a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza virus it can quickly spread to a whole flock with typically dire consequences.Related Questions
Do avian influenza viruses infect humans?
Champlain College: Emergency Preparedness: Pandemic FluAvian 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).
Related QuestionsCan humans catch avian influenza from wild birds?
Alaska Science Center - Avian Influenza ResearchThe 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.
Related QuestionsUSGS National Wildlife Health Center - Avian Influenza - Fre...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.Related Questions
How does avian flu spread in humans?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsIt is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far.
Related QuestionsDo avian flu viruses infect humans?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsBird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.
Related QuestionsAre the symptoms of avian flu in humans different from seasonal flu?
Online Health TopicsThe symptoms of avian flu in humans may be similar to those for the common seasonal flu but usually progress more aggressively and may also include:
Related QuestionsCan influenza vaccine prevent avian flu?
Influenza vaccine cannot prevent avian influenza as the vaccine was meant for human influenza. However, the vaccine can help reduce the chance of complications and hospitalization from human influenza; hence it is recommended for the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses. Influenza vaccine can also reduce the chance of genetic re-assortment and subsequent emergence of influenza strain with pandemic potential.
Related QuestionsWhat is avian influenza or flu?
Pandemic Qu?becA pandemic is an epidemic on the global scale. An influenza pandemic is caused by a virus that has undergone major changes and is completely different from the seasonal influenza viruses that spread each year. As people have little or no resistance to this virus, they become sick in great numbers, and the number of deaths is accordingly much higher.
Related QuestionsAre avian (bird) flu and pandemic influenza the same?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseNO! There is a big difference between avian influenza and pandemic influenza. Avian influenza infects mainly birds and poultry. It can also infect people or animals who have very close contact with sick birds or poultry. But bird flu is not easily spread from person to person, so it cannot cause a pandemic. A pandemic influenza could only happen if the virus changes so that it is passed easily from one person to another person. This kind of change has not happened with the avian H5N1 flu virus.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of avian influenza in humans?
Epidemiology & Disease Prevention - Cerro Gordo County D...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.
Related QuestionsIs avian influenza transmissible to humans?
Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Animal Health - Fact Sheet...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.
Related QuestionsHow is avian influenza detected in humans?
BirdFlu123.com - Protective Bird Flu Masks, Gloves, Suits an...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.
Related QuestionsHow do humans get avian (bird) flu?
PHILA.GOV | Philadelphia Emergency Preparedness and ResponseHumans can get avian flu from direct contact with infected birds or objects contaminated by the infected bird's feces (droppings). The most likely way to catch the avian flu is during killing, defeathering, and preparing infected poultry for cooking.
Related QuestionsShould we worry about avian (bird) flu, is it dangerous to humans and can we control it?
Surrey Alert Public Info -Currently, the government is monitoring the situation. A number of control measures will be immediately implemented in the event of the disease being suspected in flocks of poultry or tamed birds. Detailed information and advice can be found on the Surrey County Council Trading Standards web pages and on the following websites: Department of Health, Health Protection Agency, DEFRA, NHS Direct and the National Farmers Union (NFU)
Related QuestionsIs the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu a risk to humans?
FAQ | Avian Flu | Ducks Unlimited CanadaTo date, the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds. Despite the millions of people who have had close contact with domestic fowl during the past 10 years in Asia, just over 325 people have been infected worldwide. This is an extremely low rate of infection. However, human health officials are concerned with the greater than 50 percent mortality rate of people that have been infected.
Related QuestionsCan a person suffering from influenza suffer from avian flu at the same time?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, it is possible. Neither suffering from influenza, nor vaccination against human influenza offers protection against avian flu. However, health care providers and others who are at high risk of infection should get themselves vaccinated against human influenza virus so that they are at least protected against one of them.
Related QuestionsNew Mexico Avian InfuenzaLike humans, birds have naturally occurring influenza (flu) viruses. There are numerous types of avian influenza viruses that are carried by wild bird species throughout the world, but these viruses usually do not cause disease in these birds. Occasionally, some of these viruses can infect domestic birds such as poultry, but typically we do not see direct transmission of avian influenza viruses from birds to humans.Related Questions
Pandemic flu - frequently asked questions : Department of He...Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by a virus that usually infects birds (particularly poultry) but occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects humans. Experts are particularly concerned about the H5N1 strain of avian influenza which has caused disease and death in birds and has demonstrated the ability to cross the species barrier and cause disease and death in humans.Related Questions
