Avian Influenza

Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a contagious disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract including nose, throat, and lungs. Many varieties of influenza viruses exist. Some viruses infect only humans, others only birds, pigs or dogs. Some can infect more than one mammal (called "cross species"). In birds, this disease is called avian influenza or the "bird flu".

Avian influenza has been around for over 100 years. It was first reported as "fowl plague" in 1878 when it caused a lot of deaths in chickens in Italy.

Avian flu can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, or nervous systems (or combinations of these) in many kinds of birds. The earliest signs of infection in chickens are a loss of appetite and a decrease in egg production. Symptoms of avian flu can range widely from mild illness to a highly infectious disease with up to 100% mortality. Some wild birds and waterfowl (like ducks and geese) can carry the virus without showing signs of infection. Pigeons appear resistant to the infection. Domestic chickens are very susceptible to influenza infections which can easily spread to other chickens and quickly turn into epidemics (in poultry).

NOTE: For information about the common flu in humans, please see the OSH Answers Influenza.

Avian influenza is mainly spread by direct contact between infected birds and healthy birds. It can also be transmitted when birds come in contact with equipment or materials (including water and feed) that have been contaminated with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth of infected birds.

People can also spread the disease indirectly from farm to farm by their carrying the virus on their clothing, boots or vehicle wheels.

Wild birds normally can carry the virus without getting ill themselves. However, there have been a few rare situations where wild flocks became ill or where migratory birds infected local poultry flocks along their flight routes. Scientists are currently studying how and why this change is happening.

For more information on how to protect bird from bird flu, see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s “Protect your flock from bird flu” document.

No. Avian influenza viruses can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza viruses and high pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) means that the virus causes a mild disease like ruffled feathers and decreased egg production.

High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causes severe disease and is extremely contagious. HPAI can cause up to 100% of an infected flock to die.

Influenza A viruses cause avian influenza.

Yes. The influenza virus belongs to the family of orthomyxoviruses which has four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D.

Only influenza A viruses cause flu in birds. Influenza A viruses have been found in wild and domestic birds from around the world. The majority of viruses have been found in waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese, gulls, and terns) and domestic birds (e.g., chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants and quail). There are many distinct varieties or strains of avian influenza A viruses but most strains in ducks and other birds do not cause any disease symptoms.

Influenza A viruses can also infect people, pigs, hogs, dogs, horses, seals, whales, and mink. New influenza A viruses can cause pandemics.

Influenza B viruses are usually only found in humans. Influenza type B viruses can cause human epidemics but they have not caused pandemics.

Influenza C viruses cause mild symptoms in humans and do not cause epidemics or pandemics. Influenza C viruses have also been found in pigs and dogs.

Influenza D viruses affect cattle and are not known to cause illness in people.

Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes and each subtype is further divided into strains.

The H and N letters refer to the different kinds of proteins found on the outside surface of the influenza virus. The various subtypes of the influenza A virus depend on the kinds of proteins that stick out from the surface of the virus – the haemagglutinin or HA protein and the neuraminidase or the NA protein. The body's immune system can make antibodies that can recognize these specific virus proteins (antigens) and therefore fight that specific influenza virus.

Researchers have found 18 kinds of HA proteins and 11 NA proteins in many combinations in bird flu viruses. These combinations are reported as strains of the influenza virus H(number) N(number). For example: H7N1, H9N2, H5N1, H7N9, etc.

Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect people. Most cases of infection in people are believed to be the result of direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Two lineages – H5N1 and H7N9 – have been responsible for most human illnesses worldwide to date.

Among all the avian influenza viruses that have caused illness in people, the subtype H5N1 has been associated with very serious illnesses and death. Health Canada states that although human infections with this virus are rare, people who do become infected can become seriously ill and may die.

While rare, avian influenza in humans is mainly caused by contact with:

• infected chickens or other birds,
• manure and litter having high concentrations of avian influenza virus,
• contaminated surfaces,
• contaminated vehicles, equipment, clothing and footwear at farms where there are infected birds, and
• infected birds when being defeathered and prepared for sale.

The virus does not spread easily from birds to humans, or from human to human. However, there have been very rare cases when the avian virus has spread from one ill person to another, but the transmission beyond that person has been limited.

People working with poultry suspected of being infected with avian influenza, or in contact with such poultry, should wear protective clothing. This clothing includes face masks, goggles, gloves, and boots.

In cases where you are in contact with infected birds, personal hygiene steps include washing hands, showering, and washing all of your clothing. Clean and disinfect your footwear.

The symptoms are similar to those of human influenza and can include fever, cough, aching muscles, sore throat, eye infections and serious respiratory infections including pneumonia.

There is usually no vaccine against new strains of influenza. Some studies indicate that certain drugs that fight human influenza may help prevent serious illness among people infected with the avian influenza virus.

No. Avian influenza is not spread by cooked food. There is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit the virus to humans. While the World Health Organization recommends proper cooking as a good general practice, it is even more important in countries that have a current outbreak of avian influenza. The virus can be killed by heat so poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 75 °C (165 °F) to make sure they are safe to eat. Eggs should also be thoroughly cooked (no runny yolks).

Food and kitchen hygiene are also important. Be sure that juices from raw poultry or poultry products do not touch or mix with other foods that will be eaten raw. Always wash your hands thoroughly and wash surfaces after touching poultry products. Cleaning with soap and water is appropriate.

Traditionally, an influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus appears. As noted earlier, avian influenza does not spread easily or rapidly among humans. This characteristic does not lead to favourable conditions for a pandemic. Health officials monitor avian influenza outbreaks closely.   

For example, bird owners in Canada have a responsibility to report any bird diseases to their veterinarian and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Animal Health office.

The most important step you can take to protect yourself and others from influenza is to get the flu shot and stay home if you are sick.

You can also reduce the chance of infection by washing your hands regularly. Always wash regularly with soap and warm water.

See the OSH Answers Hand Washing - Reducing the Risk of Common Infections for more details.

Other steps you can take for personal hygiene are listed in Good Hygiene Practices - Reducing the Spread of Infections and Viruses.