Bird flu or avian influenza is a disease that occurs most commonly in domestic and wild bird species. “Bird flu” is an umbrella term that covers all of the different strains and subtypes of the disease. In birds, the most common signs a bird or flock is infected include swelling alongside the eyes, nasal discharge, labored breathing, lethargy and death.
Because of the aggressive and contagious nature of the disease, it is often a strict policy to humanely euthanize all birds at a facility (farms, zoos, preserves, sanctuaries, veterinary clinics, etc.) even if only one bird proves to be positive. As harsh as this is, if policies like this weren’t in place the possibility of the disease wiping out even one species of bird would be detrimental to immediate prey and predators, as well as the food industry (not just those who consume birds and their eggs but birds are excellent pollinators and are responsible for a lot of success in a variety of crops). The capability of the disease to mutate endlessly and affect more than its usual bird hosts also plays a huge factor in why stopping the spread of the bird flu is so important to the USDA.
Why have I not heard about bird flu?
Just like the flu in humans, numbers during certain seasons spike as it spreads from one individual to the next. And while there is a vaccine to decrease symptoms and exposure risk for the human flu, there isn’t one for avian influenza (or bird flu).
Avian influenza is always circulating. Just like in people you can recover from the flu depending on the strain and if it has mutated. Different strains can cause different symptoms and affect different hosts. Bird flu does not spread through the air with ease or as quickly as human flu can. Not all animals infected with bird flu show symptoms either and therefore may never be tested.
Many species of birds migrate during certain seasons as their instincts tell them to travel in order to find the best resources, food and mates. As they make homes in their seasonal vacation destinations, birds- as social creatures proceed to make friends, get sick and then fly back to their original homes and spread their illness the whole way. Some years, more individuals are infected than others and those are the years it is usually talked about frequently.
Bird flu is thought to have been around and causing a decline in bird populations for many decades with the first human infection in 1997. Since then, safety and prevention measures have been in place to prevent the bird flu from spreading and often is contained before the number of positive cases gets too high. This may make it less of a hot topic at the dinner table.
How is bird flu spread and who can catch it?
Most strains of avian influenza only affect members of the avian (bird) family. Bird flu is most commonly found and easily spread in waterfowl such as ducks, swans and geese. This flu is so common in these species they may not show symptoms and continue to be carriers each season. However certain strains can affect mammals including raccoons, foxes, livestock, marine life, cats and even humans.
Symptoms in humans may include a fever, eye irritation, body aches, shortness of breath, stomach or chest pain and headaches. However, in elderly, children and immunocompromised it is more likely to cause severe symptoms and can even be fatal. Once symptomatic it’s likely you have already been infected for a few days. Bird flu in humans is treatable when caught early.
The disease spreads via feces and respiratory droplets. Physical contact or ingestion of the bird or mammal is also a way to contract bird flu. This type of influenza can survive on surfaces or inanimate objects such as clothes, shoes or vehicles, and then later infect one who may come in contact with those items. This flu is also resistant in low temperatures as well.
How to avoid bird flu like it’s the plague
Currently, there is not a vaccine to protect against any strain of the bird flu but avoiding contact with birds and wildlife is important, especially during times of high transmission. With the scary ability for certain strains to mutate and attack different hosts and all strains causing similar symptoms, it’s best to keep wildlife at arm’s length.
The best way to prevent or remove unwanted birds or other wildlife in or around your home is by using Prickly Pear Wildlife for exclusion work. At Prickly Pear we take pride in removing pests humanely and repairing any damage they may have caused as well as preventing these pesky pests from returning. We work hard to keep humans and animals safe while providing effective services. Many species of birds are protected and it is illegal to trap, possess or kill birds. We talk about how Prickly Pear handles birds in this article.
The good news is, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, the current outbreak of bird flu can be tested for confirmation in hospitals and some medical offices. They will be able to determine if you have been infected with a strain of bird flu (and can then report it as necessary)or if you just have the common cold.
Influenza viruses have previously crossed species barriers before, most commonly from swine and poultry. Usually the virus or disease just resides in the human that is infected and does not typically transfer from human to human. The same goes for bird flu so far. However, if enough cases of species transmission takes place, regardless of if the sickness transfers from human to human or only crosses from animals to other animals or humans, it is just as important to prevent the spread.
The current risk of the bird flu mutating to be infectious directly from one human to another and beginning a pandemic is very low. Despite this, after what we all went through during the time of “covid-19” it is not a bad idea to level up your good hygiene habits.
How to start preventing the spread of bird flu today
- Make sure to acquire all meat, especially poultry and cattle as well as their by-products from a reputable and safe source.
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water often even if you haven’t been working directly with people or animals.
- Keep raw meat products and tools used for preparation separate from prepared ready to eat foods.
- Wear proper PPE if you must care for or handle birds or mammals. Take special precautions if you work with and around sick or deceased animals.
- Avoid traveling especially while sick (even with “just a cold” or allergies) to prevent contamination and spread of the disease.
- If you suspect you or a pet may have been infected, isolation of pets and/or yourself may be necessary to keep from spreading bird flu until you recover.
- In and around your home make sure to repair holes that provide entry points, remove any areas that collect standing water, avoid feeding wildlife and keep the area free of debris, food and nests.
- Report sick wildlife to APHIS or your state’s wildlife health officials.
Depending on where you live and the current data, some regions have more regulations than others. These regulations may include but are not limited to disease control zones, limited sale of meat and by-products, destroying potentially contaminated products, requiring employees to follow new cleaning and sanitation protocols, quarantine of domestic and wild bird populations being housed in human care and reporting potential carriers.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the current bird flu outbreak by following the CDC.
If you own any livestock or bird species, taking the time to prevent wild animal populations coming in contact with your collection will also greatly decrease the chances of spreading bird flu further. Prevention methods may include 24/7 shelter with solid roofing for animals who live outdoors, sanitizing food and water bowls often, extra fine mesh and dig barriers to prevent infected animals from meeting your personal pets.
The current bird flu numbers are rising in feline species, if you have an indoor cat it’s best to keep them indoors. When purchasing and preparing meat, dairy and poultry products for your friends and family be sure anything raw is obtained from a trusted and safe source and prepared properly. The same goes when feeding your pets. Outdoor cats when possible are best confined to one area to avoid contracting and spreading the disease through feces or ingestion of wildlife.
