About avian influenza

Avian influenza, sometimes called bird flu, is caused by a virus that mainly affects birds. It has also been found in other animals, and in rare cases, people.

Avian influenza in people is a respiratory illness that affects the airway and lungs. It can also affect the digestive system and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

About 52% of people who get sick with avian influenza will die. This is usually due to respiratory failure, when the lungs can’t get enough oxygen.

Who is most at risk?

Some things can put you at higher risk of avian influenza, including:

• Working or being in contact with infected farm animals like chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats, and cows or infected wild birds, or wild mammals.
• Working with wild birds for things like research, conservation, or rehabilitation.
• Working with wild animals that eat wild birds (like foxes, skunks, raccoons, mink and some sea mammals).
• Visiting animal farms or live animal markets.

How it spreads

The most common way the virus is spread to people is close contact with infected animals.

Avian influenza can spread in the following ways:

• Having contact with animal feces (poop) or fluids such as mucus and saliva.
• Breathing in the virus through air droplets, dust, or feathers.
• Touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

The risk of infection is low for the general public who have limited contact with infected animals.

Symptoms

Not everyone with avian influenza has symptoms. For people who do, the most common early symptoms are:

• cough
• shortness of breath
• fever
• aching muscles
• headache

Other early symptoms may include:

• diarrhea (watery stool)
• runny nose
• sore throat
• fatigue (feeling very tired)
• conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• bleeding gums

In rare cases, avian influenza can get worse quickly, with:

• severe respiratory illness, including trouble breathing, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid buildup in the lungs)
• changes to how a person thinks or acts (neurological changes) or seizures

In very serious cases, avian influenza can damage organs like the kidneys, liver, and heart. This can lead to death.

Since 1997, over 900 cases of avian influenza in people have been reported around the world, mostly in Africa and Asia. About half of these 900 reported cases led to death.

There are likely more cases of avian influenza that were not detected or reported. This is because some people may have mild symptoms or no symptoms.

Learn what to do and how to care for yourself if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Treatment and care at home

If you get sick and have had recent contact with birds, other animals, or you were in a high-risk place where there could be avian influenza, contact your healthcare provider.

Antiviral medicines may be used to treat avian influenza. Talk with your healthcare provider about what treatment is right for you.

Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever.

Some people need to go to the hospital for treatment.

Vaccine

The avian influenza vaccine is available for people who are at high risk of contact with avian influenza.

Learn more about the avian influenza vaccine.

Prevent the spread

The risk of avian influenza is low for most people. But it’s still important to do simple things to stay safe around animals and prevent diseases from spreading:

• Keep a safe distance from wild birds and wild animals.
• Don't touch or feed wild birds and wild animals.
• Avoid contact with birds or animals that may be sick, including farm animals like cows and goats.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after being in places birds and other wildlife live or nest, such as in parks or zoos. Make sure children wash their hands properly.
• Keep pets away from birds, wild animals, and their feces.

If you work with certain animals or in a high-risk place, you need to take extra steps for safety. Talk to your workplace health and safety team. See Avian influenza A (H5N1): Prevention and Risks to learn more.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding/​chestfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding/chestfeeding and are at high risk of contact with avian influenza, talk to your healthcare provider about the avian influenza vaccine.