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Avian influenza and pandemic fluFAQs--Frequently asked questionsUpdated August 15, 2006 Avian or bird influenza is caused by viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant, deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted to humans. People have not developed immunity to H5N1 and no vaccine is available. The avian flu could become a pandemic flu -- an extremely severe human flu that causes a global or pandemic outbreak. Currently, there is no pandemic flu. The Public Health Division and other agencies are working to strengthen systems to detect outbreaks of influenza that might cause a pandemic. The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made before a crisis. Knowledge is a key element in preparing. FAQs
Other Web sitesFor more information on the avian or "bird flu," please visit the following Web sites.
Q: What if somebody finds an infected bird -- in North America, the U.S., in the Upper Midwest or here in Minnesota? Does that mean we're having a pandemic?A: No -- the H5N1 bird flu strain is still almost entirely a disease of birds. Right now, this is still a "bird pandemic" -- not a human pandemic. In rare cases, the H5N1 virus has caused human illness -- but for the most part, only in people who have had extensive, close contact with infected domestic poultry or their droppings. As of August 14, 2006, only 238 human cases of this illness had been reported worldwide, over the last three years. Person-to-person spread of H5N1 has been extremely rare, if it happens at all. Unless the H5N1 bird flu virus changes dramatically, so it can pass easily from person to person, we are unlikely to see widespread human disease. Q: Do we need to be concerned about a flu pandemic?A: Public health officials remain concerned about the possibility of a future pandemic. We need to be prepared for that possibility. Three worldwide pandemics occurred in the last century -- and scientists believe that another pandemic will occur some day. If the H5N1 bird flu strain changes, so it can pass easily from person to person, it could cause a pandemic. That may or may not ever happen. A pandemic could be also be caused by a completely different flu virus -- one that we haven't seen yet. Public health officials at all levels of government are watching closely for changes in the H5N1 bird flu virus -- and any other potential pandemic threats. Q: How will we know when we have our first infected bird? What's being done to monitor for H5N1 bird flu in wild birds?A: Surveillance for H5N1 bird flu is already underway on major bird migration routes leading into the U.S. In the coming weeks, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be working with state officials -- primarily in Alaska -- to test thousands of wild birds. Initially, Minnesota will not be directly involved in the federal testing effort. However, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be supporting these efforts, and will be preparing a plan for wild bird surveillance in Minnesota. Anticipated surveillance efforts in Minnesota include investigation of waterfowl die-offs, and sampling of birds in connection with bird-banding and hunter bag-checks. The University of Minnesota and others will be doing some limited testing of birds, and DNR will also be assisting with those efforts. There are many strains of bird flu besides the "H5N1" strain -- and it's not uncommon to find them in wild birds. None of them are known to pose a threat to human health. Other bird flu strains are around all the time. We have experience looking for them and responding to them. Q: Hasn't H5N1 bird flu already been found in wild birds here in the U.S.?A: A strain of H5N1 flu was found in wild swans, in Michigan, in August 2006 -- but not the strain of H5N1 everyone is concerned about. There is more than one kind of H5N1 bird flu. Some strains are "high path" (highly pathogenic) and some strains are "low path" (less virulent). The strain that's currently circulating and causing some human illness -- in parts of Asia, African and Europe -- is a high path strain of H5N1. The strain detected in Michigan is low path. Low path strains of H5N1 have been found in parts of the U.S. -- including Minnesota -- as far back as the 1970s. Q: What is being done to monitor for H5N1 bird flu in domestic poultry flocks?A: When poultry producers see disease warning signs in their flocks, they contact their veterinarian. If the veterinarian suspects a form of avian influenza, he or she is required to contact the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH). Minnesota was among the first states to work with turkey growers to establish a voluntary monitoring network, beginning in 1986. BAH is creating a similar monitoring network for the state's commercial egg and broiler producers. A turkey processing plant surveillance program was created several years ago to identify infected flocks. BAH is working with small backyard flocks to diagnose, control and prevent influenza using biosecurity, sanitation and disease control measures. The state is working to bring veterinarians, poultry producers and others up to speed about the warning signs of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. Q: Should consumers be concerned about buying and eating chickens or turkeys? What can they do to protect themselves?A: Commercial poultry is monitored carefully for illness -- including different strains of bird flu -- by state and federal authorities. In Minnesota, chickens and turkeys are monitored for disease by the state Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health. Even if the H5N1 bird flu virus were present in poultry, it is extremely unlikely that you would ever be infected by handling, cooking or consuming it. Normal precautions for handling and cooking poultry should make it safe to prepare and eat. These precautions include:
Q: What about eating eggs? Is there any special way eggs should be prepared?A: There are no known cases in which people have gotten H5N1 bird flu from eating eggs. Proper cooking kills bacteria or viruses that may be present in eggs. Eggs should be cooked thoroughly -- so the yolks are not runny or liquid. Q: What about people who like eating eggs "sunny-side up?"A: The best way for consumers to protect themselves and their families is by thoroughly cooking meat and poultry products, including eggs. Eggs prepared "sunny-side up" are typically not heated to a temperature that kills potentially dangerous bacteria like salmonella or viruses like avian flu. Eggs intended for human consumption are typically washed and sanitized before being sold, so any virus on the shell would be inactivated. Q: Do you want people to report sick or dead wild birds? Do you want people to submit dead birds for testing, the way you did with West Nile Virus?A: Neither the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) nor the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has plans to test wild birds for H5N1 bird flu or accept dead birds for testing. MDH tested dead birds for West Nile Virus as a way to track the presence of the virus in mosquitoes. That isn't an issue with H5N1 bird flu. Wild birds can carry the H5N1 bird flu virus, but it usually doesn't make them sick. If you find a dead bird, it's unlikely that it died from H5N1 bird flu. If you find a dead bird, simply put it in a plastic bag and put it in the garbage -- and then wash your hands thoroughly. Q: Is this a potential threat to the poultry industry in Minnesota? What's being done to protect our commercial poultry flocks?A: Commercial poultry is monitored carefully for illness -- including different strains of bird flu -- by state and federal authorities. In Minnesota, chickens and turkeys are monitored for disease by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health (BAH). There are many different strains of bird flu. Some pose a serious threat to the health of poultry flocks, and others do not. In the event that a strain of bird flu is found in a poultry flock, procedures are in place to isolate the sick birds, or take other steps to stop the spread of the virus. Different strains of bird flu are around all the time. We have experience looking for them and responding to them. Q: Should people be concerned about contact with wild birds or their droppings? What should they do to protect themselves?A: In general, people should try to avoid contact with wild birds or their droppings -- not necessarily because of bird flu, but as a general health precaution. If you can't avoid contact with wild birds or their droppings, wash your hands, and avoid bringing feces into your home on shoes or clothing. Clean your shoes or clothing as necessary. A bleach solution and exposure to sunlight may be helpful for disinfecting shoes. Q: Is it safe to keep "back yard chickens" or other poultry in or near your place of residence?A: If you own birds, a few simple precautions can help you reduce any potential risk to your birds -- or to your own health.
If you have questions about safe handling of your birds, go to the U.S Department of Agriculture site Q: Do bird feeders pose any health risk for humans?A: Bird flu is primarily a disease of waterfowl and shorebirds, and is not typically seen in the "back yard" bird species that visit bird feeders. Because wild birds can also carry other diseases -- such as salmonella -- a number of precautions are recommended for people who keep bird feeders:
Q: Should people be concerned about swimming in lakes where waterfowl are present?A: The risk of being infected by swimming in the same water with infected waterfowl is extremely remote. There is no evidence that anyone has ever been infected in this way. As a general health precaution, bathers may want to avoid shallow areas were waterfowl may be present -- and especially avoid swallowing any water. Q: Is it safe to eat wild game birds? What precautions should hunters take?A: Eating game birds should not pose a risk, as long as you following thee same routine precautions that should always be followed when handling or cooking wild game:
Q: What about pets? Are they at risk? And are they a potential threat?A: There are no known cases where people have gotten H5N1 bird flu from domestic pets. A few cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported in large cats or domestic cats, in Europe and Asia. In all cases, these animals were infected by eating raw, infected poultry. Regardless of any potential risk from H5N1 bird flu, pet cats should always be kept indoors to minimize possible health risks. Pet birds should not be at any risk as long as they have no contact with wild birds. Q: Have any cases of avian influenza been reported in Minnesota poultry this year?A: "Avian influenza" includes a whole family of viruses. It's been around for a long time. Every year, we have garden-variety forms of avian flu, and this year is no different. We have a monitoring system in place to help us quickly identify commercial poultry flocks infected with avian influenza, contain the infection and work with the industry to eliminate it. The forms of bird flu we've seen have not been "highly-pathogenic" strains like H5N1. In fact, Minnesota's poultry industry has never had a case of the more serious "high-path" form of avian flu in nearly 30 years of surveillance. Modern poultry production practices effectively shield poultry from contact with wild birds. That makes spread of these diseases less likely here than in other parts of the world. Q: Have any of these birds with the less severe versions of avian flu gone into the food supply?A: All birds are subject to inspection at the slaughter plant. Birds that do not pass inspection are withheld from the food supply. The more dangerous forms of avian flu typically kill birds quickly, making it unlikely they would ever even reach the poultry processing facility. Fortunately, proper cooking destroys avian flu viruses and other potentially harmful disease-causing microbes. There is no danger of getting avian influenza from properly cooked poultry. For more information, contact: Bloomington Public Health Division Interpreters and transportation information are available upon request.
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