Avian Flu
Avian or ‘bird flu’ has been in the news a lot, but what are the real risks? Click on some of the most common questions below to find out.
- What is bird flu?
- How is it spread?
- What are the symptoms?
- What is the likelihood of bird flu becoming a pandemic?
- What is being done to prepare for it?
- How can I protect myself and other people?
- What might be the impact of an outbreak?
- Useful resources
- Related links
What is bird flu?
Avian flu is primarily a disease of birds and does not pass easily to other kinds of animal. The serious strains are H5 and H7 and the most worrying type at the moment is the Asian strain of the H5N1 virus. So far a few hundred humans have contracted the H5N1 virus, but this was only after prolonged and close contact with infected birds.
How is it spread?
At the moment, humans can only catch the H5N1 flu virus directly from birds and the majority of people who have caught bird flu have been in Asia. While there have been no confirmed cases of the virus being passed from person-to-person, the worry is that the virus will mutate so that it can be spread easily between people, so causing a flu pandemic.
The latest information and advice on avian flu can be found on the Defra website and the World Health Organisation keeps a running total of human cases of bird flu.
What are the symptoms?
If a human does contract bird flu, the symptoms are likely to be a more extreme version of ordinary seasonal flu, which are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Conjunctivitis
- Tiredness
Cases of bird flu are more likely to cause breathing problems and pneumonia, and can be fatal.
What is being done to prepare for it?
The government is preparing for a bird flu outbreak in humans in a number of ways:
- Announcements in newspapers, and on radio and TV with health advice.
- Increased stocks of antiviral drugs (plans to cover half the population).
- Agreed advance supply contract for pandemic specific vaccinations.
- The NHS has plans for dealing with increased demand for services. Non-essential treatment is likely to be delayed in order to prioritise those patients suffering from pandemic flu.
You can also read the London flu pandemic plan to find out more.
How can I protect myself and other people?
There are a few things you can do personally to try and prevent bird flu from spreading in the UK:
- If you find a dead or sick bird and get concerned, contact Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on the helpline: 08459 335577.
- Register if you keep birds. This is compulsory for a flock of more than 50 birds.
- Keep children away from dead birds and always wash your hands thoroughly if you have handled them.
If H5N1 does jump species and become a human pandemic, maintaining good hygiene will provide some protection:
- Wash hands regularly.
- Clean hard services frequently.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Use tissues and dispose of dirty tissues quickly.
- Avoid nonessential travel and large crowds whenever possible.
What might be the impact of an outbreak?
A serious pandemic is likely to cause many deaths, disrupt the daily life of many people and cause intense pressure on health and other services. Each pandemic is different, and until the virus starts circulating, it is impossible to predict its full effects.
Useful resources
- Download the Government’s advice on Preparing for Emergencies
- Download: Pandemic flu: What it means for you and your family
- Download: Pandemic flu: Key facts
- Download: London Resilience Flu Pandemic Response Plan