What is "Bird Flu"?
“Bird Flu” or Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can classified as either low pathogenic (low mortality) or high pathogenic (up to 100% mortality). Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza like the common flu in humans is a common annual event in birds. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza like the H5N1 virus circulating in Asia, Europe, and Africa is less common. All types of birds, wild or domestic, are susceptible to Avian Influenza but most outbreaks occur in domestic chickens and turkeys. The infection is most often passed by domestic or wild birds through close contact with infected birds, contaminated bird waste, or contaminated equipment used to handle, feed, or house birds.

How can I catch it?
Currently people catch the bird flu through direct contact with infected birds (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.

How do I keep from catching it?
Avian influenza viruses are readily transmitted from farm to farm by the movement of live birds, people (especially when shoes and other clothing are contaminated), and contaminated vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. People should avoid contact with chickens, ducks or other poultry and related equipment and materials unless absolutely necessary. This is the best way to prevent infection with the bird flu virus. As with any Influenza virus, good hygiene is an important part of prevention.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds, bird cages and pens, and cleaning up after birds,
  
  
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working with birds or bird-related items,
  
  
• Change clothing worn while handling birds or contaminated with bird waste before starting a new activity.
  
  

Are my pet birds at risk?
Yes - Pet birds are at risk, however the risk is minimal. The H5N1 avian influenza virus has been found in a variety of birds. The best way to protect your pet bird is to prevent it from coming in contact with wild birds and materials or equipment used by other birds.

Is my cat/dog at risk?
Yes - Although rare cats have been infected by the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Dogs at this time have not been found infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, however other mammals have become infected and it is thought dogs could also become infected.

I found a dead bird, what should I do with it?
If you find 5 or more dead birds contact your local DNR office. If you find less than 5 birds and they are Crows and Blue Jays contact your local health department for West Nile Virus sampling. If you find less than 5 birds that are not Crows or Blue Jays you should leave them where they are. If you do decide to dispose of dead birds pick them up without directly touching the dead bird by using a plastic bag or shovel. Iowa will begin collecting shore birds and waterfowl later this summer and fall as part of the federal avian influenza monitoring program.

What is the difference between this bird flu and past bird flus?
Each year there are several strains of flu in wild bird populations just like there are several strains of human flu. The avian influenza virus currently circulating in Asia, Europe, and Africa is a highly pathogenic variety (HPAI) and is more contagious then the more common low pathogenic viruses (LPAI). This new strain of avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) has spread throughout a large geographic area since it was first documented in 1997 in Asia, and has caused the largest and most severe outbreaks in poultry on record. Unlike most avian influenza viruses, this new strain of H5N1 has caused mortality in over 80 species of wild birds. This virus has also infected non-avian species of wildlife and humans.

How is bird flu related to human flu?
Avian influenza (bird flu) refers to a large group of different influenza viruses that primarily affect birds. Influenza can be divided into three groups (Types A, B, and C). Type A virus causes infection in birds (referred to as avian influenza or “bird flu”), humans, and some mammals, such as pigs; Type B is found exclusively in people; and Type C occurs in humans and pigs.

An influenza pandemic happens when a new subtype of influenza virus emerges that has not been found in humans previously. Humans would then have no natural immunity to this new subtype and be more likely to catch it. For this reason, the H5N1 virus is a strain with pandemic potential, since it might ultimately change into a strain that is contagious among humans. If this change occurs, it will no longer be a bird virus it will be a human influenza virus and potentially cause an influenza pandemic.

How does the bird flu become contagious to humans?
The avian influenza virus must change. The virus can change to become more contagious among humans in two ways. The first is a “reassortment” event, in which genetic material is exchanged between human and avian viruses during co-infection of a human or pig. Reassortment could result in a fully contagious pandemic virus.

The second way the virus can change is a more gradual process of adaptive mutation, whereby the capability of the virus to bind to human cells increases during subsequent infections of humans. Adaptive mutation, expressed initially as small clusters of human cases with some evidence of human-to-human transmission, would probably give the world some time to take defensive action, if detected sufficiently early.

What happens if it becomes contagious to humans?
If Avian Influenza changes and becomes contagious human to human it would start a flu pandemic. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

What happens if bird flu reaches the US?
Federal, state, and local governments have in place a variety of disaster plans that would be used in the event avian influenza is found in the US. Wildlife surveillance and domestic flock monitoring plans will be stepped up to track the disease's spread. Federal, state, and local health departments have plans in place to monitor local clinics and hospitals for signs of human infection and to care for people infected.

What is Iowa doing to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak?
The Iowa DNR, working with the USDA, will begin sampling migratory and shore birds this fall to monitor for the H5N1 Avian Influenza. State and local governments have numerous disaster plans in place and are reviewing and developing additional plans to deal with an avian influenza outbreak here in Iowa and a pandemic flu in humans.

What is the poultry industry doing to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak?
The poultry industry has been working for many years to improve the safety of the American food chain and has developed biosecurity plans not only for avian influenza, but for many poultry diseases.

What can I do to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak?
Be vigilant, report 5 or more dead birds to the DNR office near you. Practice good hygiene - wash your hands frequently, do not handle dead or sick birds, and don't eat, drink, or smoke while handling birds or bird related equipment and materials. And if you feel sick stay home and call your doctor.