How to Identify Pandemic Bird Flu

Pandemic bird flu is an outbreak of a new influenza A virus, mainly occurring in Asia, Europe and Africa. It is carried by birds and is rarely transmitted to humans. These steps will help identify pandemic bird flu in both birds and humans.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Birds

1. Check the bird, chicken or turkey for an unusual amount of ruffled feathers. If you notice extra ruffled feathers, the bird may have mild symptoms of the bird flu.
2. Note the amount of egg production. If egg production has decreased, it may be a mild symptom of bird flu.
3. Determine the mortality rate among your flock of birds, chickens or turkeys. If you notice that several of your birds are dying, it is highly likely that they have contracted the more deadly version of bird flu and their internal organs have been affected. The virus is spread through saliva and excrement and acts quickly; the bird's death usually occurs within 48 hours of infection.
4. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect bird flu among your flock.

Humans

5. Check to see if you have typical flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Pandemic bird flu has symptoms similar to seasonal flu but more severe.
6. Pay attention to your eyes to see if they feel infected. An eye infection or conjunctivitis is a symptom of the bird flu.
7. See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have bird flu and are developing other severe symptoms such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress or viral pneumonia. Even healthy individuals are at high risk for serious complications.

Tips & Warnings

• Never pick up, play with or touch dead birds.
• Wash your hands frequently to prevent the virus from spreading.
• Most humans who have contracted bird flu did so through contact with poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions from sick birds.