Avian influenza in humans (bird flu)
Key facts
- Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by specific types of influenza A viruses, that usually infect birds. These are different to those that cause seasonal flu in humans.
- Human infection is rare.
- Symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to other forms of influenza (flu).
- There is no vaccine for bird flu, but seasonal flu vaccine can help reduce the risk of getting sick with human flu and bird flu at the same time.
- Avoid contact with sick or dead animals (especially birds and poultry).
What is avian influenza?
Bird flu is caused by a number of different influenza A viruses and mainly affects birds including poultry. Some strains cause mild sickness in birds while others, called high pathogenicity strains, can cause high death rates in poultry.
Certain strains of bird flu can also infect other animals like seals, cows, goats and, in rare cases, humans.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu, also known as a high pathogenicity type, has caused deaths in poultry, wild birds and some marine animals.
Animal and human health authorities closely monitor bird flu to track and manage its spread.
Who is at risk?
People at higher risk of bird flu infection are those who have contact with infected animals or their secretions such as:
- poultry workers
- veterinarians, wildlife workers or volunteers handling sick or dead birds
- people who hunt, handle or butcher wild birds or other animals.
Signs and symptoms
Bird flu symptoms usually appear 1 to 10 days after exposure to the virus. The illness can range from mild to severe disease depending on the virus strain. Some people may have no symptoms, while others may get flu-like symptoms such as:
- fever or chills
- conjunctivitis (red and sore eyes)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or blocked nose, or sneezing
- headache
- muscle aches
- tiredness or weakness
- diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting.
Some people are more likely to develop severe illness from bird flu, including:
- those with weakened immune systems
- pregnant or postpartum women (up to 6 weeks after birth)
- babies and children under 5
- older people
- people who smoke
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Treatment
Most people with bird flu receive antiviral treatment to prevent severe disease. People who are very unwell may require hospitalisation.
Transmission
Bird flu does not spread easily from birds or animals to humans.
There is a risk of transmission from:
- direct contact with infected animals, their body fluids or contaminated environments
- breathing in contaminated dust
- handling or processing raw poultry products.
Person-to-person transmission is very rare.
Poultry products and eggs are safe to eat when handled properly and cooked thoroughly.
Prevention
Reduce the risk of bird flu to you, your family, and pets by:
- Avoiding sick or dead birds and their surroundings, droppings, body fluids, feathers or eggs
- Washing your hands thoroughly before and immediately after handling animals, eggs or raw meat
- Keeping pets away from wildlife, including stopping cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas
- Cleaning your footwear, clothing and vehicle when visiting national parks, reserves or farms to prevent spreading diseases.
If you own, care for, or work with birds or chickens:
- Prevent wild birds from mingling with your birds or accessing their feed and water
- Keep pens, aviaries, feeders and equipment clean
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling birds
- Monitor birds for signs of illness or sudden deaths.
If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Avoid the animal, Record what you see and Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
Vaccination
There is no human vaccine for avian influenza available in Australia. However, the annual flu vaccination can:
- lower the risk of getting sick with both human flu and bird flu at the same time
- reduce the chance of human flu and bird flu viruses mixing to form a more dangerous strain.
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone from 6 months of age.
It is especially important for poultry workers and others who have regular close contact with birds during outbreaks of avian influenza.
Tips to avoid avian influenza when travelling overseas
- Avoid contact with sick or dead animals (especially birds and poultry) and stay away from:
- poultry farms, backyard chicken enclosures
- areas where poultry may be slaughtered
- live animal ‘wet’ markets
- Ensure meat, eggs and animal products are cooked thoroughly before eating. If it is necessary to handle or cook meat, poultry or eggs, wash hands well and clean surfaces and utensils after use
- Do not drink raw (unpasteurised) milk
- Wash hands regularly with soap and running water or use an alcohol-based hand rub and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for updates on the avian influenza situation in the country you are visiting before departure.
Other resources
- Australian Centre for Disease Control - Bird flu (avian influenza) for health professionals
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Avian influenza (bird flu)
- Queensland Government | Business Queensland - Avian influenza (bird flu) alert - for industries
- World Health Organization Influenza Fact sheet | Avian influenza
- Wildlife Health Australia: Facts about avian influenza
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Commercial poultry and pork industry workers are recommended to receive influenza vaccine during an outbreak of avian or swine influenza | The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Help and assistance
If you suspect you have had contact with poultry or other birds infected with bird flu or are concerned about avian influenza:
- Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or speak to your health professional for advice