What is avian influenza and to white. The combs and wattles Who should I contact, if I what causes it? are often swollen and can turn blue. suspect avian influenza? Avian influenza is a viral disease that Swelling may occur around the eyes In Animals – Contact your can affect bird species throughout the and neck. Legs may have pin-point veterinarian immediately. world. The disease can vary from mild hemorrhages. Egg production drops In Humans – Contact your to severe, depending on the virus strain and typically stops. Rare cases can physician. Inform him or her involved. The most severe strain, called affect the brain causing twisted that you have had contact with highly pathogenic avian influenza heads, circling, or paralysis. Sudden birds with avian influenza. (HPAI), is caused by viruses with H5 death may occur. How can I protect my or H7 surface proteins. Most human Infected mammals will have fever, cases result from close contact with cough and breathing difficulty; some animals from avian sick birds. Outbreaks have occurred may die. influenza? in many countries, including the U.S., Prevent contact between poultry parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. Can I get avian influenza? and wild birds, especially waterfowl. Yes. Humans can be infected with Use strict biosecurity measures, such What animals get avian the avian influenza virus, but most as cleaning and disinfection of bird- influenza? cases have involved very close direct housing facilities as well as rodent and Avian infuenza primarily affects contact with sick poultry. Some cases insect control measures, to prevent wild and domestic bird species. of person-to-person transmission have spread of the virus. Vaccines may be Waterfowl can carry the disease been reported, but are very rare. used to help control an outbreak. without becoming sick. Poultry are Clinical signs in people can include very susceptible to the disease and swelling and reddening of the tissues How can I protect myself can die in large numbers. Some strains around the eyes (conjunctivitis), flu-like from avian influenza? of the virus can affect mammals, such illness (fever, body aches). Death can Avian influenza infection in people as pigs, cats, horses, dogs and ferrets. occur in rare cases. is rare. Wear protective clothing such as masks, gloves, and safety glasses., How can my animal get when working with birds or poultry. avian influenza? Avoid touching your eyes or mouth In birds, avian influenza is spread until hands have been washed by direct contact with the fecal thoroughly with soap and water. droppings or respiratory secretions of Antiviral medication or vaccines may infected birds. The virus can live for a be used during an outbreak situation. Avian Influenza People working with the virus in long time in the environment and can also be spread by objects or fomites is a viral disease laboratories or on vaccination crews
(e.g., shoes, clothing, equipment) that of wild and domestic birds. should take extra precautions. have been contaminated with the It can cause illness in virus. Mammals may be exposed by poultry and humans. For More Information ingestion of infected birds. CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Avian in- fluenza athttp://www.cfsph.iastate. How does avian influenza edu/DiseaseInfo/ affect my animal? U.S. Government site for Avian Influenza Poultry affected by avian influenza and Pandemic Influenza Information will appear depressed, have ruffled at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ feathers and are unwilling to eat. index.html Birds may have watery diarrhea that Photo from USDA OnLine Photography Center. starts off bright green and changes
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