In extremely rare cases it can affect humans.
Heres what you should know about avian flu, including risks,symptoms, and prevention.
Verywell / Juoles Garcia
Avian Flu in Birds vs.
Verywell / Juoles Garcia
Humans
Bird flu occurs naturally in wild birds and can also spread to livestock poultry.
However, transmission to humans is very rare.
Human-to-human transmission has only been detected in extremely rare situations.
Bird Flu Symptoms
In humans, the symptoms of bird flu are the same asseasonal influenza.
Some cases are mild, while others are severe.
Avian flu has a much higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza.
Roughly 53% of people diagnosed with H5N1 and 50% of people diagnosed with H7N9 have died.
However, scientists know that other viruses can pass through substances like blood that are found in uncooked food.
Bird flu can be treated using antiviral medications.
Summary
Bird flu is concerning because of its high mortality rate.
However, it is extremely rare in humans.
Although avian flu occurs in birds around the world, fewer than 2,500 people have been infected since 2003.
A Word From Verywell
TheCOVID-19 pandemichas left many people on edge.
Bird flu is concerning, but its important to remember that its exceedingly rare in humans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bird flu cases occur naturally in bird populations around the world.
There is not a publicly available bird flu vaccine.
The first human case of H5N1, the classic bird flu, was diagnosed in Hong Kong in 1997.
In 2014, Canada experienced the first case of H5N1 in the Americas.
A human case has never been reported in the United States.
Bird flu has a much higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza.
Roughly 53% of people diagnosed with H5N1 and 40% of people diagnosed with H7N9 have died.
However, domestic birds, including poultry, are at higher risk for bird flu.
Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations.Global AIV with zoonotic potential situation update.
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Outbreaks of North American lineage avian influenza viruses.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What causes bird flu virus infections in humans.
Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations.Avian influenza a (H7N9) situation update.
The Vaccine Alliance.The next pandemic: H5N1 and H7N9 influenza?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention and antiviral treatment of avian influenza A viruses in people.
