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The purpose of this web page is to provide accurate and timely information about the Avian Influenza. This page is intended for people living within Santa Cruz County. Current Situation - Health Care Provider Info - Questions & Answers - Web Resources - Contacts
The H5N1 flu virus has affected hundreds of thousands of birds, and more than a hundred humans. Health officials are concerned that it will become the next pandemic influenza strain in humans. However, it’s very hard – and maybe even impossible – for people to get H5N1 bird flu from each other. You get it from direct contact with birds or their droppings. That’s why there have been so few human cases. There are many different types of influenza viruses circulating in the world at any given time. Some infect only birds, some infect only swine, and others only infect humans. The term "bird flu" or "avian influenza" refers to influenza strains that affect birds. One particular avian strain, known as H5N1, has caused severe illness in birds in recent years. Hundreds of millions of chickens and ducks have died or been killed in an effort to control this strain of influenza, but the H5N1 virus has been found in birds in many parts of the world. The virus is probably being spread by wild birds, which may or may not become ill when infected. Domestic poultry is very susceptible to H5N1. What’s the connection between bird flu and pandemic flu? Although the H5N1 virus primarily affects birds, it can also spread to people. Most people who have gotten the virus work directly with poultry or have had close contact with birds. That usually means direct contact with live birds or bird droppings. So far, it does not appear that people can get it easily from each other. Public health experts are concerned that the H5N1 virus could change (mutate) into a form that is easily spread from one person to another. We don’t know for sure whether that will happen – or when it might happen. But if it does, the result could be a global influenza pandemic. Since few, if any, people would have any immunity to the new influenza virus, it could spread around the world very rapidly, causing serious illness in many people. Should people be worried about this now? There is no sign right now that the H5N1 virus has become a pandemic strain. But if it does, it could cause a pandemic like the one that happened in 1918, when millions of people died, or it could cause a less severe pandemic, like the ones that happened in 1957 or 1968. We simply don’t know. But we need to be prepared in either case. Most health officials believe that a pandemic will happen – it’s just a question of when. WHO and CDC are on constant lookout for the first signs of a pandemic emerging so steps can be taken to try to contain it. How many people have caught H5N1 so far? The numbers keep changing. Check these sources to get the latest information.
When a Pandemic is Present:
Bird Flu (Avian Flu)
What is the best way to protect myself from pandemic influenza?
To plan for a pandemic:
Only if you have a recently returned from travel to an area where bird flu is present. Depending on your symptoms, dates of travel, and activities, additional testing might be recommended. Let you healthcare provider know about your travel history and if you had contact with poultry or bird markets.
Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral drug that works against influenza viruses. It is not known if it will be useful against a pandemic influenza virus. Tamiflu is not recommended for persons to keep at home in case of a pandemic.
Although the federal government is stockpiling medical supplies and antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, no country in the world has enough Tamiflu to protect all their citizens. Public health officials have recommended using available supplies of Tamiflu first to treat persons with severe infections that require hospitalization, and persons that will perform vital functions that the public will need in a pandemic. These groups include healthcare workers and emergency responders. Because the drug needs to be taken every day for weeks in order to prevent influenza infections and the supply is limited, Tamiflu is not recommended for this purpose during a pandemic. Tamiflu is currently manufactured by one company in Switzerland. Government agencies and the manufacturer of Tamiflu are attempting to find ways to is negotiating with generic drug companies to increase production of the medicine.
Masks are recommended for use in health care settings by ill persons and healthcare workers to prevent spread of infection. At this time, masks are not recommended for use by well persons in the community. There is no guarantee that masks would prevent the spread of the infection in the population. If persons decide to wear masks during a pandemic influenza outbreak, it is likely they will need to wear them any time they are in a public place and when they are around other household members. More information on the use of masks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Yes, wipe down any surfaces that may have been contaminated by saliva or other respiratory secretions. Influenza viruses are known to survive on non-porous surfaces such as steel and plastic, for up to 24 to 48 hours after inoculation and from cloth, paper, and tissues for up to 8 to 12 hours. Viable virus can be transferred from non-porous surfaces to hands for 24 hours and from tissues to hands for 15 minutes. Use a household disinfectant labeled for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, or mix and use¼ cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water.
Vaccine production is a complicated process and lengthy process. The process can only begin once the virus is present in the human population. Options to speed up the production of an effective pandemic vaccine are currently being evaluated by the US government. Is it safe to eat chicken, poultry, and eggs? Yes, eating properly cooked poultry, as well as eggs, is safe. The U.S. government has banned imported poultry from countries affected by bird flu. At the present time, bird flu is not present in the U.S. For protection against many types of food borne diseases, such as Salmonella, all poultry should be cooked to 165º F or hotter. Cooking also destroys flu viruses.
This does not present a risk. At the present time, the H5N1 strain of bird flu that has spread through poultry farms in southeast Asia and into eastern Europe is not present in the U.S. Even if the H5N1 strain were to appear in the U.S., transmission from birds to people would require close contact with birds, such as handling, butchering or exposure to bird droppings.
Maintaining a clean bird feeder or bird bath is generally safe, unless these are attracting rodents or raccoons. It is always best to wear protective gloves when handling or cleaning these items to avoid contact with bird droppings or contaminated water in a bird bath. Always wash your hands with soap and water after doing these chores.
The likelihood of getting a pet bird that is already infected with avian flu is very low. It is illegal in the U.S. to import pet birds from regions that are infected with bird flu. In addition, if you’re concerned and already own a pet bird, keep it inside to avoid exposure to wild or migratory birds. If you are buying a new bird, especially of an exotic variety, be sure it has been legally imported. Smuggled birds from affected areas could possibly be infected with the bird flu virus. Information about federal embargoes on bird importation can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/embargo.htm
There is no evidence that bird flu is a risk to dogs. Recently, there have been reports of a canine influenza virus in the U.S. but this is a different flu virus that affects only dogs. There is evidence from the Asian outbreak that the bird flu virus might affect cats fed raw poultry, but there is currently no cause for concern because the virus is not present in the U.S.
Currently there is no routine monitoring of domestic poultry for H5N1 avian influenza taking place in California. There is, however, a joint program in place between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) called the “Avian Health Group” that will respond in calls regarding dead domestic poultry. There hotline number is 800-491-1899. Sick farm birds may be reported directly to the USDA at 1-866-536-7593 as well.
Major wild bird surveillance efforts are focused on Alaska and Canada at this time, as it is believed that migratory ducks and geese could carry the bird flu there from Asia and Russia. The California Department of Fish and Game is conducting random testing of migratory waterfowl in the Northern part of the state. The California State Department of Fish and Game will respond to a report of a cluster of dead wild or migratory birds. There number is (916) 445-0411. In the event of discovering a dead migratory bird you may also contact California Wildlife Services at 916-979-2675.
Public Health is continuing to monitor bird deaths as part of its West Nile virus detection program. Dead birds such as blue jays, crows, ravens and other small wild birds found in Santa Cruz County should be reported to the California Department of Health Services at 1-877-WNV-Bird (1-877-968-2473).or by using the web based report form at http://westnile.ca.gov/bird_report_id.htm You may dispose of the dead bird by double bagging in plastic bags and discarding in your household garbage. Use gloves or a shovel to avoid touching the bird or any other dead animal with your bare hands.
You should practice good sanitation and preventive measures, such as reducing exposure to wild birds, to guard against a variety of diseases. Excellent information on “backyard biosecurity for the birds” is available www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/hpai.htm If birds in your flock die unexpectedly, you can report this to the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 800-491-1899. All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. |
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You
may have heard a lot about avian flu, or “bird flu,” in the media.
There are actually many kinds of flu that can infect birds – wild
birds as well as domestic birds, like chickens or turkeys. But recently,
health officials have been especially concerned about one particular
strain of bird flu. Known as “H5N1,” it can make people – as well
as birds – severely ill.