Avian influenza (bird flu)

People who have avian influenza may have no or mild symptoms. Symptoms generally appear between 1 and 10 days following exposure to the virus. Common symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu and include:

• sore, irritated or red eyes (conjunctivitis)
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• headaches
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea (less common).

Some strains can lead to severe illness in some people.

Avian influenza does not easily spread to people from birds. However, it can be spread to people who have had close contact with infected birds and wildlife, or their contaminated environments, including feathers, faeces, or other waste. Spread can also occur from breathing in contaminated dust or respiratory droplets.

People infected with an avian influenza do not easily transmit the infection to others.

When person-to-person transmission has previously occurred, it was following close contact with a sick person over several days.

People who are at risk include those who have close contact with infected birds or their contaminated materials and people who are caring for a person infected with the virus.

People at greater risk of severe disease from seasonal influenza are likely to be at greater risk of severe disease avian influenza. This includes:

• babies and children under 5 years old
• older people
• pregnant people
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with certain chronic conditions
• people who are immunocompromised
• people who smoke.

It is especially important that people at greater risk of severe disease take steps to protect themselves.

Avoid contact with sick or dead birds or wildlife. This includes their surroundings, droppings, body fluids, feathers and eggs. Only people with the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should handle sick, or dead birds or wildlife. PPE recommendations can be found on the Australian Centre for Disease Control website.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling any birds (even if healthy).

People travelling to areas affected by avian influenza (external site) should:

• avoid poultry farms and live bird “wet” markets
• wash their hands thoroughly after handling uncooked poultry products such as meat or eggs
• ensure that poultry or poultry products are cooked thoroughly before eating.

Avian influenza can be diagnosed using swabs taken from the nose and throat.

Anti-viral drugs used for seasonal flu are likely to work against avian influenza and are used to treat people with avian influenza virus infections.

Isolation of a person with avian influenza and the use of personal protective equipment by those caring for them helps minimise the risk of disease spread.

There is no specific vaccine to protect people from avian influenza. However, getting an annual flu vaccination is still important. It is recommended anyone 6 months or older gets one every year (external site). Although it does not protect you from avian influenza, it:

• protects you from getting sick with human flu and bird flu at the same time
• reduces the risk of human flu and bird flu viruses mixing to create a more dangerous influenza virus.

It’s especially important for wild bird or poultry workers and other people at greater risk of exposure to get their annual flu vaccination.

If you believe you have been in contact with an infected bird or contaminated materials, you should self-monitor your health for ten days after the last exposure. If you develop flu-like symptoms:

• call your doctor and tell them you have been around sick birds or wildlife  – they can contact the local WA Public Health Unit for advice and provide guidance on how to get tested for avian influenza
• stay home and away from other people as much as possible while you are unwell
• wear a mask to protect others if you cannot stay home
• regularly wash your hands with soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand rub if water is not available
• cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, throw away used tissues, then wash your hands.

It is important you call ahead and inform healthcare staff you may have been in contact with avian influenza so they can put appropriate precautions in place when you arrive. This helps reduce the spread to others.

In a medical emergency always seek immediate health care or phone 000.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has advised:

• avian influenza is not known to transmit to humans via food
• it is safe to eat properly cooked chicken meat and eggs
• commercially pasteurised milk products are safe to consume.

If your backyard animals are showing sign of disease, you should not consume any of their products (e.g. milk, eggs) and seek the advice of a veterinarian.

Anyone who sees sick or dead birds, marine mammals or other wildlife, should report it to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888. Avoid contact with the animals and take photos or video if possible and note the location to assist with the report.

Under WA’s Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, any strain of avian influenza is a reportable disease and anyone who suspects the disease is present must report it (external site).