How do you get the bird flu? What medical experts want you to know right now
Headlines as of late have sounded alarms about the spread of the avian flu, known more colloquially as the bird flu.
Over the last year, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, A(H5N1), has sporadically been reported in wild birds, poultry and dairy cows across the United States, Canada and some other countries.
Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the "risk to the general public from these viruses remains low." Only four people in the U.S. have been identified as being infected with this virus, all with mild-to-moderate cases, per the CDC.
"It’s important to know that the current risk for bird flu in people is low," says Dr. Jennifer Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). "We are seeing that dairy cattle and poultry farms are the most common sources of exposure, although that is still very low."
Still, the last five years have made many increasingly vigilant about viruses spreading. If you're still concerned about encountering the bird flu, here's what medical experts want you to know.
How do you get bird flu?
Bird flu is a virus that is spread from bird to bird, but occasionally, strains can transform into a virus that humans can contract and spread, according to the AAFP.
"Most people who get infected with bird flu have close contact with infected birds or bird droppings," Brull says. That means those who work with poultry and those who eat raw or undercooked meat or eggs from infected birds are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. You can also spread bird flu by swimming in water contaminated with bird droppings or by touching a surface where an infected bird has landed.
Bird flu spreads by touching your nose, eyes or mouth, by inhaling moisture droplets or dust particles or by consuming undercooked infected meat or eggs. But it's rare for the bird flu to be transferred from one human to another, according to the AAFP. In order to do so, the virus must transform into a human flu virus.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Symptoms of the bird flu usually appear between two days and a week after being exposed, according to the AAFP. They're usually similar to seasonal flu symptoms, which include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, achy muscles and pink eye.
More serious symptoms can include severe respiratory issues, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mental confusion and seizures. People who are pregnant, have weakened immune symptoms or are over the age of 65 have a higher risk of developing a serious illness.
"If you suspect you or someone you know has come down with bird flu after being exposed to an infected animal, reach out to your family physician and they can help confirm or rule out bird flu," Brull says.