If you’ve scrolled through the news in the past few weeks, you’ve probably been flooded with headlines about bird flu. The viral infection is the reason behind a mass culling of cows and poultry across the United States—and why egg prices are skyrocketing. So you might be wondering: What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Bird flu has been a major problem for poultry and dairy farmers, but public health officials have reassured the public that animal-to-human transmission is not happening. This was good news since no one wants a repeat of 2020, and if that meant dealing with egg surcharges or 27 dollars for a carton, then so be it. Well, all that's changed.
While the risk of bird flu in humans is extremely low, scientists are closely monitoring the spread and finding some rare cases of bird flu infecting humans. Ohio reported the first human case of bird flu when the outbreak first began. Since then, there have been 68 confirmed human cases in 11 states and one death in Louisana.
Though extremely rare, the number of human infections may be higher. Yesterday, a research study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found three bird flu cases previously undetected in veterinarians.
While public health officials are closely monitoring the situation, you should also be monitoring your health for possible bird flu. You can never be too careful.
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Bird flu is a viral disease spread amongst birds and other animals. Like the flu virus that rapidly mutates, bird flu also mutates into different subtypes. Only five out of the nine subtypes of bird flu viruses—H5, H6, H7, H9 and H10 viruses—have been known to cause infections in humans. The most recent bird flu infections in humans come from H5 subtypes of influenza A.
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Symptoms of Bird Flu Infection in Humans
People with avian influenza A(H5) infection have reported mild to severe illnesses. People with mild symptoms sometimes showed fevers of 100ºF. Other symptoms included those seen for a common cold or flu: cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some also experienced diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, but this was less common. Severe symptoms involved a high fever, shortness of breath, changes in consciousness and seizures.
Of all the symptoms, the biggest indicator of bird flu is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. People commonly reported eye irritation, red eyes and discharge—especially after being in contact with birds, cows and other farm animals. Pink eye has previously been linked to past bird flu infections in humans.
However, it is possible to catch bird flu and show no symptoms. The CDC reports it is currently unknown how many asymptomatic people are infected with bird flu.
It takes about three days for a person infected with A(H5) viruses to start showing symptoms. Other symptoms emerge after 2 to 7 days from exposure. Bird flu lasts from a few days to about two weeks, depending on the severity of the infection. People are considered most contagious in the first few days of presenting symptoms.
As a reminder, bird flu is still considered more of an animal health issue. The chances of catching bird flu from an animal are very low, and the chances of catching it from someone infected are even lower.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Pink Eye—Including How Contagious It Is
How to Protect Yourself From Bird Flu
Since bird flu mainly targets poultry, people should stay away from dead birds and animals. They should also keep a distance from wild birds who can transmit the virus through their saliva, mucus and feces.
The biggest risk to humans is getting the virus from contaminated food products. For this reason, wash your hands each time after handling and avoid eating uncooked or undercooked poultry at a temperature of 165˚F to kill any lingering bacteria and viruses. Ground beef can be cooked at 160°F and cuts of beef should reach 145°F before resting for 3 minutes. Additionally, avoid eating any raw or unpasteurized milk and cheeses.
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