Avian Influenza (H5N1) and Pandemic Flu

New! Make sure that your family is ready for pandemic flu visit
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/guide.pdf

What is "bird flu?" "Bird Flu" is a name being used to described avian influenza, in particular, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1. There are many kinds of Avian Influenza, but Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 is different because it is "highly pathogenic," or capable of causing serious disease in poultry, and has caused some human cases (in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa), generally in humans who were in close contact to infected poultry. The virus can't be transmitted from person-to-person, though, at this time.

What is "pandemic flu?" Pandemic flu occurs when a type of influenza arrives in the human population that is very different from influenza normally causing influenzas during the flu season we see each year. Because of the differences in the viruses, our own defenses (our immune systems) are not as good at fighting off the new virus. In an influenza pandemic, many people get the pandemic flu "strain" and generally get serious illness.

Is Bird Flu or Pandemic Flu in the United States? There is no Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A /H5N1 (also called "bird flu") in Wisconsin or anywhere in North America at this time, so there is currently no risk to catching A/H5N1 from birds in our area or from eating poultry (http://www.avianinfluenzainfo.com/), or having bird baths in the yard. Please continue to contact your local humane society about any sick or injured birds or other animals you might find. Visit our West Nile Virus page for information about reporting dead birds to the MHD.

Is Bird Flu going to make it to the United States? If so, how? Health officials worldwide are watching avian flu ("High Path Influenza A H5N1") in poultry and migratory birds in areas of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe---human cases of Avian Influenza H5N1 have only been reported in certain areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. So far this virus can only spread from infected poultry to humans, and not from human to human, and the virus has not reached North America in migratory birds (see "Can I catch H5N1 from Wild birds?"  below), though it may within the next year or more or maybe not at all. Influenza A/H5N1 could also make it to the United States in a sick traveler from an affected area in Asia or the Middle East, which is why Public Health across the country is working to follow-up on travelers returning from areas with A/H5N1 outbreaks in poultry to make sure they watch for and report H5N1 symptoms.

Can I catch H5N1 from Wild birds? So far, almost all human cases of Influenza H5N1 have been due to close contact with Highly Pathogenic H5N1-infected poultry (one isolated case occurred after very close human-to-human contact). People cannot catch H5N1 from having H5N1-infected birds in the area. At this time there are no wild birds (or poultry or humans) in the United States (or anywhere in North America) infected with Influenza H5N1. There are no documented cases anywhere of human H5N1 infections resulting from contact with wild birds.  Read more at: www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp . 

What should Hunters Do? WI-DNR provides some practical advice and guidelines for hunters: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/WHEALTH/issues/AI/hunters.htm 

What about my pet bird? Pet birds kept inside should be protected from Influenza A/H5N1 if it arrives here.

What about my cat and dog? A small number of cats in Europe have become infected with Influenza A/H5N1 by eating birds sick with Influenza A/H5N1. Influenza A/H5N1 has not been found in dogs.  At this time, there is no threat of Influenza A/H5N1 to dogs and cats spending time outdoors. If Influenza A/H5N1 is detected in area birds, public health may (depending on numbers and types of birds thought to be infected) advise keeping cats indoors if and when that happens.

What should Free-Range Chicken Growers do?  Read the State Animal Health Plan  (click here, pdf) to learn about how farmers will be notified of any infected birds that might be found in the area, and what actions may be taken to protect flocks.

Can the H5N1 virus be spread from human to human? Not at this time.If the virus changes, however, through a random process called "mutation," it could become more easily spread human to human. If this happens, it will be very important for people to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.

For questions about local pandemic preparedness activities, please contact Mary Ellen Bruesch at (414) 286-5744, or email mbrues@milwaukee.gov