|AVIAN INFLUENZA (Bird Flu)
What is avian influenza or bird flu?
Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by a virus that occurs naturally in wild
birds. There are several different types of avian influenza viruses. An
avian virus type known as H5N1 has recently infected domesticated poultry flocks
in various countries throughout Asia, Africa and Europe. To date ,
no cases of the H5N1 avian flu virus have been detected in domestic birds or
wildlife in the United States.
How does bird flu spread?
Bird flu is spread when infected birds shed the virus in their saliva,
nasal secretions and droppings. Wild birds usually don’t get
sick from the virus, but they can pass it on to domesticated birds
like chickens, turkeys and ducks, which can get very sick and die.
How are avian, pandemic, and seasonal flu different?
Avian flu is
caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.
Pandemic flu is flu
that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that
spreads easily from person to person. Currently there is no
Seasonal flu is a contagious
respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
Have people become infected with bird flu? Has anyone died?
The first case of human infection with bird flu was reported in 1997
in Hong Kong. Since then, more than 200 human cases have been
reported in Asia, Africa and Europe. Half of the infected people died. Public
health officials believe people were infected with bird flu after they
had contact with the bodily fluids of infected birds, or surfaces contaminated
with these fluids. To date, there have been no human
cases of bird flu reported in the U.S.
[Current situational updates and cumulative reports of human cases
of avian influenza (H5N1) are available on the World Health Organization (WHO)
Can bird flu spread from person to person?
So far, the spread of the avian influenza virus from person to person
has been limited and has not continued beyond one person. Nonetheless,
because all flu viruses have the ability to change, scientists are
concerned that avian influenza virus one day could be able to infect
humans and spread easily from one person to another.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Bird flu can cause typical flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore
throat and muscle aches. Symptoms may also include eye infection, pneumonia
and severe breathing problems, possibly leading to death. Up to 10
days may pass between being exposed to the virus and developing these
Is there a test to confirm bird flu in humans?
Yes. Healthcare providers can perform a test for influenza. If this test
is positive, other testing can be done to determine if the influenza
is bird flu.
What type of treatment is provided for people who become
infected with bird flu?
People who are infected with bird flu can become very sick. Treatment
may include hospitalization, supportive care and/or the use of drugs
known as antivirals. In order for antivirals to be effective they must
be started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Antibiotics are not effective
against bird flu.
Is there a vaccine to protect against bird flu?
There is no approved vaccine to prevent bird flu, but scientists are
at work to develop one.
Will a seasonal flu shot protect me from bird flu?
No. Annual flu shots protect against virus strains that already circulate
among humans. They offer no protection against bird flu. People should
still get flu shots because seasonal influenza kills 36,000 people
in the U.S. each year.
Why is bird flu causing so much concern?
Humans have little or no natural protection against bird flu viruses.
There is concern that the current bird flu virus could change into
a form that spreads easily between humans. We don’t know if or
when that might happen. If it does, a worldwide outbreak, or pandemic,
could occur. Many people could get sick and die, depending on the severity
of the pandemic.
PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE
What are public health officials doing about bird flu?
If bird flu evolved into a pandemic, every country in the world could
be affected. International experts at the World Health Organization
(WHO) are working together to carefully watch for bird flu outbreaks
in birds and humans. Increasingly, nations are sharing information
on disease outbreaks, collaborating on methods to control the spread
of infection, and preparing for the possibility of a pandemic. The
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working
with national and international partners to control further outbreaks
of avian influenza and to prepare for the possibility of influenza
pandemic. CDC also continues to recommend enhanced surveillance for
avian influenza infection among travelers with severe unexplained respiratory
illness returning from avian influenza-affected countries. Additional
information is available on the CDC web site.
What are public health officials in New Jersey doing about
We do not know if the avian type H5N1 eventually will be the cause of
the next pandemic or if it will disappear and another influenza virus
will be the cause. To prepare for that possibility, the New Jersey Department
of Health and Human Services (NJDHSS) has developed an Influenza Pandemic
Plan, which is updated periodically. It describes the responsibilities
of public health agencies, hospitals, and other public health partners.
What is Atlantic County doing to prepare for a possible avian
The Division of Public Health is working closely with the Atlantic City
Health Department and NJDHSS on development of an Atlantic County
Pandemic Flu Plan. The intent of this county-specific plan is to help
minimize morbidity and mortality, and maintain the operations of essential
community services in the event of a pandemic. This plan is updated when
new information and guidelines from NJDHSS, CDC, and WHO are made available.
The plan is developed to complement both the state’s plan and our
existing Atlantic County Interim Bioterrorism Public Health Emergency
How will avian/pandemic flu be detected in Atlantic County?
As with any epidemic, the key to preventing or limiting an influenza
outbreak is early detection and implementation of prompt coordinated
containment measures. The Atlantic County Division of Public Health
is taking part in a number of pandemic prevention and preparedness
- Maintaining year-round Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) surveillance
in local hospital emergency departments, select long-term care facilities
and a CDC sentinel physician practice; monitoring absenteeism rates
in select schools; monitoring local emergency department visits and
admissions rates; monitoring over-the-counter sales and hospital emergency
department chief complaint data utilizing Real-time Outbreak and Disease
Surveillance (RODS) technology; and coordinating reporting to the state
of all new cases of influenza-associated hospitalizations in persons < 18
In addition to human surveillance activities, the county has enhanced
surveillance within the animal population by expanding the existing community-based
reporting of dead birds to a year-round program. Additional wild bird
and veterinary based surveillance efforts are currently under development
and will be deployed locally once available.
Where are credible sources of updated information on avian/pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services (NJDHSS)
Atlantic County Division of Public Health
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