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What is Bird Flu?

• Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious disease of birds ranging from mild to severe form of illness.
• Some forms of bird in flu infections can cause illness to humans.

What causes Bird Flu?

• Bird Flu is caused by influenza A virus.
• The outbreaks affecting some Asian countries have been caused by influenza A/H5N1 virus. It can also cause severe infection in humans.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Bird Flu in Human?
Following exposure to bird flu infected chicken patient develops:

• Fever
• Body weakness or muscle pain
• Cough
• Sore throat
• May have difficulty of breathing in severe cases
• Sore eyes

How is Bird Flu Transmitted in Chickens and Other Birds?

• Direct contact with discharges from infected birds, especially feces and respiratory secretions
• Contaminated feeds, water, cages, equipment and clothing
• Broken contaminated eggs

What is the Treatment of Bird Flu in Human?
Treatment is the same as other influenza viruses.

How is Bird Flu Transmitted to Humans?
Through inhalation or contamination with infected discharges or feces of sick chicken.

One DOES NOT get Bird Flu from thoroughly cooked chicken meat.

NO EVIDENCE of transmission of the virus to humans from raw, chilled, or frozen poultry foods.

How Do We Prevent Bird Flu from Entering the Country?

• Ban of importation of live chickens and other poultry products from countries affected with bird flu.
• Ban on importation of cage and pet wild birds from countries affected with bird flu.
• Daily monitoring of major entry points open to international routes and prevent entry of any bird species coming from affected countries.
• Monitoring areas where migratory birds congregate.

What Should the General Public Do?

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling live and dressed chicken.
• Cook chicken thoroughly.
• Do not sell live chickens and other birds in the market while there is a threat of bird flu.
• Do not let chickens roam freely. Keep them in cages or pens.
• Do not place chicken, ducks and pigs together in one area, cage or pen.
• Do not catch, get near or keep in captivity wild birds.
• Report to the nearest agricultural/veterinary office any unusual death or illness of chicken or other birds.
• Report to the nearest local health centers any case of respiratory illness with history of exposure to sick or dead chickens and other birds.

Is it Safe to Travel to Countries Affected with Bird Flu?
Individuals at risk are those directly or indirectly exposed to sick chicken and other birds. The government thereby advices prospective travelers to countries affected with bird flu not to go to bird parks, poultry farms and markets where live chicken and other birds are sold.

(Source: Department of Health, ARMM)