Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

What is bird flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans. 

Signs and symptoms of bird flu

The signs and symptoms of bird flu (avian influenza) can vary widely, from mild to severe. 

Mild symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and fatigue.

Severe symptoms: High fever (over 103°F or 39.4°C), Difficulty breathing, Pneumonia, Seizures, and Confusion or altered mental state

How is it transmitted?

Bird flu, is primarily transmitted through contact with infected birds or their droppings. The virus can spread in the following ways: 

• Direct contact: Touching infected birds, their saliva, or droppings. 
• Inhalation: Breathing in virus particles that are present in the air near infected birds. 
• Contaminated surfaces: Touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. 
• Consumption of contaminated food: Eating undercooked meat or eggs from infected birds, although this is rare. 

Transmission between humans is uncommon, but can occur through close contact with an infected person or through contaminated surfaces.

What to do to protect yourself

• As a general precaution, whenever possible people should avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals and observe them only from a distance.
• If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses even if they don't look sick.
• Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian bird influenza A virus infection.
• Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.

What to do if you find an infected or potentially infected or dead wild bird or other animal

State and local governments have different policies for collecting dead and testing sick or dead animals, so check with your state health department, state veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or state wildlife agency for information about reporting animals that look sick or are dead in your area.

People should avoid unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals. Wildlife agencies regularly investigate reports of sick or dead animals. This type of reporting could help with the early detection of illnesses like West Nile virus or H5N1 bird flu. If local authorities tell you to throw away the bird's carcass (body), don't touch it with your bare hands. Use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out to place the body in a garbage bag, which can then be thrown away in your regular trash.

Report sick birds or other animals‎

People should report sick birds or other animals or unusual bird or other animal deaths to the state by contacting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. To contact ODNR by phone, call 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Find additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks on USDA's APHIS website.

If you are exposed to a bat you should be evaluated for rabies.