Measures to contain the spread of the current bird flu virus include identifying and culling affected poultry flocks, research into tests and vaccines, and rigorous quarantine practices. Federal and state governments have been working together to plan their response to an outbreak of bird flu. An episode of bird flu in Australia would trigger the Australian Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza, a federal government plan.
Victoria also has a Pandemic Influenza Plan, which details the steps that will be used by state government agencies and health services to manage an outbreak. A separate federal government plan, the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan , is designed to manage bird flu outbreaks among bird populations such as poultry farms. Key measures to prevent an outbreak of bird flu include keeping wild birds and domesticated birds apart, and making sure that domesticated birds have a safe supply of drinking water.
Several antiviral medications used to treat human influenza are also effective for bird flu. These could be used if a person developed symptoms after possible exposure to avian influenza, or to prevent illness in a person who was in close contact with avian influenza. At present people living in Australia, or people making short visits to affected countries, do not need to have antiviral medications. However Australians living in countries affected by avian influenza should consider having access to a supply of antiviral medication, to be used on medical advice.
The Australian Government is stockpiling Relenza and Tamiflu, two drugs that may be used in the treatment of human cases of bird flu.
In the case of an outbreak in humans, these drugs would be used to maintain essential services, prevent transmission and provide treatment for people who are already ill. A vaccine against bird flu is in development, but is not currently available.
The current influenza vaccines will not protect humans against bird flu. People making short visits to affected countries do not need to have antiviral medications.
However Australians living in countries affected by bird flu should consider having access to a supply of antiviral medications to be used on medical advice. This may include having a supply of antiviral medications in their home, particularly if they live some distance from urban centres and cannot therefore ensure access to antiviral medications stored locally. Be aware of the risk of bird flu if you are travelling to, or living in, a country where outbreaks are occurring in birds or humans.
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Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms. The simplest form of prevention for lyssavirus is to avoid close contact with bats.
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Skip to main content. Bird flu viruses infect birds, including chickens, other poultry, and wild birds such as ducks. Usually bird flu viruses only infect other birds. It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu viruses, but it can happen.
There have also been some rare cases of other types of bird flu affecting people in the United States. Most of the people who get bird flu have had close contact with infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated by the birds' saliva, mucous, or droppings. It is also possible to get it by breathing in droplets or dust that contain the virus. Rarely, the virus has spread from one person to another.
It may also be possible to catch bird flu by eating poultry or eggs that are not well cooked. Bird flu illness in people can range from mild to severe. Often, the symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu , such as. In some cases, bird flu can cause serious complications and death. As with seasonal flu, some people are at higher risk for serious illness.
Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted directly from wild birds to domestic poultry or indirectly e. The virus spreads directly from bird to bird via airborne transmission or indirectly, through faecal contamination of material, feathers or feed. Large amounts of virus are secreted in bird droppings, contaminating soil and water supply.
Contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages or clothing - especially shoes - can spread the virus in between farms. The possibility of spread of contaminated dust particles via wind from one farm to another, in close proximity, is discussed. The virus can also be mechanically carried by other animals, such as rodents. Humans are usually infected through close contact with infected birds, bodily fluid droplets such as those generated during defeathering processes, or other contaminated material.
Birds shed influenza virus in their faeces and therefore contact with bird droppings is also a possible transmission route. Avian flu virus is killed by heat and common disinfectants. Heat treatment such as cooking will destroy the virus. Most avian influenza viruses do not cause disease in humans, or cause only mild illness, such as fever or conjunctivitis. The best protective measure is to avoid direct contact with dead and potentially infected wild birds or poultry.
Visits to live bird markets and similar places with large concentrations of birds should be avoided, especially in affected areas. If occupationally exposed, personal protective equipment should be used to minimise direct exposure. Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir are considered effective against several avian influenza viruses.
There is no single vaccine against avian influenza. A specific vaccine is needed for each specific avian influenza strain, and they need to be adapted as the virus continues to change.
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