Updated May 2012
Introduction
Avian flu, also known as “bird flu”, is not a current threat in the United States but is a potential concern due to outbreaks, primarily in Asian countries, during the past few years. The US government recently invested in research to develop vaccines to protect humans against the more virulent strains of avian flu. The Center for Health & Health Care in Schools has developed this fact sheet that summarizes recent developments as well as recommendations from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for responding to future outbreaks.
Avian flu is an infectious disease caused by viruses that infect birds, and less commonly, pigs.1 The first documented infection of humans with an avian influenza virus occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, when the influenza A virus, H5N1 strain, caused severe respiratory disease in 18 humans, and resulted in six deaths.2 The infection of humans happened at the same time and with the same strain that was infecting Hong Kong’s bird population. The investigation sparked by this outbreak of avian flu determined that close contact with live infected poultry was the source of human infection and that the virus had jumped directly from birds to humans.3 From January 2004 to October 10, 2005, there have been 117 cases of human H5N1 infections. Sixty have been fatal.4 Human cases have occurred in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam in the current outbreak. Previous outbreaks, in 1997 and 2003, have occurred in Hong Kong and China.5
This fact sheet summarizes what is known about avian flu; describes recommendations for health care providers, consumers, and travelers; and includes links to resources about avian flu.
Avian Flu Facts6
How is avian flu spread among birds?7
How does avian flu affect humans?8
Can avian flu be transmitted from person-to-person?10
What are the symptoms of avian flu in humans?11
How is avian flu diagnosed?
Testing for avian flu (H5N1) is indicated for hospitalized patients with:
How is avian flu treated?14
Are there any vaccines available for avian flu?15
What are some recommendations for avian flu?
Due to the fact that the avian flu can be transmitted from infected poultry to humans, the CDC has issued a series of interim recommendations for the following groups in the U.S.:
Health Care Professionals 17
Consumer Food Safety Guidance 18
Travelers 19
The CDC does not recommend the avoidance of travel to countries affected by avian flu, but has given recommendations for those who are planning to travel to infected regions.
Before any international travel to an area affected by avian flu:
During travel to an affected area:
After your return from an infected area:
For additional information, visit the following sites:
Hand Hygiene:
http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
Cleaning of items:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/_resources/OOP%20Brochure%2012.20.05.pdf
Guidance for protecting workers against avian flu:
www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html
Vaccine Research:
www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2005/medimmune.htm
REFERENCES:
1World Health Organization. Avian influenza frequently asked questions. October 2005. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html. Accessed October 2005.
2National Institutes of Health. Focus on the flu: Timeline. Available at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/focuson/flu/default.htm. Accessed October 2005.
3World Health Organization. Avian influenza – a fact sheet. January 2004. Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/index.html. Accessed October 2005.
4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recent Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Asia. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm. Accessed October 2005.
5Poultry outbreaks have been reported in the following countries (listed in order of reporting): The Republic of Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, and Romania. Japan, The Republic of Korea, and Malaysia have since been considered free of the disease due to control of outbreak. World Health Organization. Avian influenza frequently asked questions. October 2005. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html. Accessed October 2005.
6 World Health Organization. Avian influenza – a fact sheet. January 2004. Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/index.html. Accessed October 2005.
7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses among Birds. October 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/spread.htm. Accessed October 2005.
8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus. May 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. Accessed October 2005.
9Beigel JH, Farrar J, Han AM, Hayden FG, Hyer R, de Jong MD, Lochindarat S, Tien NTK, Hien TT, Nicoll A, Touch S, Yuen KY. Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Humans. NEJM, 2005; 353(13):1374-1385.
10World Health Organization. Avian influenza frequently asked questions. October 2005. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html. Accessed October 2005.
11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus. May 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. Accessed October 2005.
12 Beigel JH, Farrar J, Han AM, Hayden FG, Hyer R, de Jong MD, Lochindarat S, Tien NTK, Hien TT, Nicoll A, Touch S, Yuen KY. Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Humans. NEJM, 2005; 353(13):1374-1385.
13Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update: Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Asia. October 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_influenza_se_asia_2005.htm. Accessed October 2005.
14Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avian influenza infection in humans. May 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/avian-flu-humans.htm. Accessed October 2005.
15National Institutes of Health. NIH News. NIAID announces contracts to develop vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza. May 2004. Available at http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2004/niaid-27.htm. Accessed October 2005.
16National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. HHS News. NIAID and MedImmune join forces to develop potential pandemic influenza vaccines. September 2005. Available at www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2005/medimmune.htm. Accessed October 2005.
17Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim recommendations for persons with possible exposure to avian influenza during outbreaks among poultry in the United States. February 2004. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/professional/possible-exposure.htm. Accessed October 2005.
18Ibid.
19Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update: Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Asia. October 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_influenza_se_asia_2005.htm. Accessed October 2005.