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Avian Flu (or "Bird Flu")

Contents:

Introduction

A Message from Peter Dietrich, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director of University Health Services

There has been a lot of media attention about avian flu (commonly referred to as "bird flu") and the potential for an influenza (flu) pandemic. At this time, there is an outbreak of avian flu referred to as H5N1 that has been confirmed among poultry and other birds, however, there have not been any human cases of H5N1 in the United States. The current outbreak of avian flu is not a flu pandemic and there is no occurrence of pandemic flu affecting humans anywhere in the world. However, experts predict such an occurrence at some point in the future. UC Berkeley is preparing for this potential, as are many other college campuses, and, indeed, the nation. To help keep our campus community informed, University Health Services has created this webpage to provide answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), resources, and campus contact information.

Avian Flu (or "Bird Flu") FAQ's

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What is the difference between Seasonal Flu, Avian Flu, and Pandemic Flu?

Seasonal Flu is what we usually think of as "the flu." It is a respiratory illness caused by many different influenza (flu) viruses and can be spread easily from person-to-person. Seasonal flu typically occurs between November and April with symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.

Avian Flu (or "Bird Flu") is a term used for a set of flu viruses that cause disease mainly in birds. Avian flu occurs naturally in wild birds but usually does not make them sick. However, avian flu can spread to domestic poultry (such as chickens and turkeys) and makes them very ill, often killing them. Rarely do people and animals can get infected with these viruses. The risk to most people is low, because these viruses do not usually infect humans.

Pandemic Flu is a world-wide outbreak of flu in humans that occurs when a new form of flu virus infects humans and is easily spread from person-to-person. Because a pandemic flu virus is unique, people have no immunity (or resistance) to it.

Three prior flu pandemics occurred in the 20th century, in 1918 ("Spanish Flu"), 1957 ("Asian Flu"), and 1968 ("Hong Kong Flu").

Currently, there is no pandemic flu involving humans occurring anywhere in the world but experts predict that one will occur at some point in the future and we want to be prepared.

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How do people get seasonal and avian flus?

Seasonal flu ("the flu") is spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing). People can also get the flu by touching surfaces (such as door knobs) with flu viruses on them and then touching the mouth or nose.

Avian flu viruses can be found in the saliva, nasal fluids, and feces of infected birds. Currently, the majority of people infected with avian flu have gotten it as the result of direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces, such as cages where the infected birds lived.

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Can I get avian flu from eating chicken and other poultry?

It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken and other poultry (turkey, ducks, etc.) products. Even if poultry and eggs were to be contaminated with the avian virus, proper cooking would kill it. You should follow these guidelines when cooking poultry:

  • Cook thoroughly - do not eat pink meat
  • Cook eggs until the yokes are firm and not runny
  • Keep cooking surfaces clean
  • Wash your hands after handling uncooked poultry and eggs

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What are the common symptoms of seasonal flu?

The common symptoms of seasonal flu are fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches.

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Are the symptoms of avian flu in humans different from seasonal flu?

The symptoms of avian flu in humans may be similar to those for the common seasonal flu but usually progress more aggressively and may also include:

  • Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
  • Acute respiratory distress
  • Viral pneumonia

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What can I do to prevent seasonal flu?

For seasonal flu prevention tips, please see Fighting the Flu.

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What can I do to prevent avian flu?

At this time, the risk to most people from avian flu is low. If you are planning to visit areas affected by avian flu, please see the information for travelers.

The following are some recommendations for preventing avian flu:

  • Practice good health habits everyday: wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. For more personal hygiene tips, please see Fighting the Flu.
  • Stay home when you are sick to prevent spreading the flu to others.
  • Do not touch sick or dead birds and avoid touching bird droppings. If you touch a sick/dead bird or bird droppings, wash your hands with warm water and soap right away.
  • For information on reporting sick or dead birds, please see the following websites:

    Wildlife Services
    California Department of Food and Agriculture
    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

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Is there a vaccine (flu shot) available for avian flu?

There is not a flu vaccine (also know as a flu shot) against the current avian flu (H5N1) commercially available at this time.

However, vaccines are produced each year for seasonal flu ("the flu") that may prevent the flu or lessen symptoms. University Health Services (UHS) schedules "flu shot clinics" during the fall. For more information please see, Flu Shot Update.

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Is there a cure for avian flu?

There is no cure for avian or seasonal flus. Because flus are caused by viruses, antibiotic treatment (which works against bacteria) is ineffective.

For more information on treating seasonal flu, please see Fighting the Flu.

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How is avian flu treated?

There are currently four medications (called "antivirals") for flu viruses: symmetrel, flumadine, tamiflu, and relenza. Antivirals may be effective for reducing the severity and duration of the flu. They can also be used to try and prevent the flu if someone has come in contact with flu viruses.

However, the current avian flu virus (H5N1) is resistant to two of the available antiviral medications, symmetrel and flumadine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends against using either of these antivirals for avian or seasonal flu.

There is concern about the potential for flu viruses to become resistant to additional antiviral medications. The use of antivirals when they are not needed increases the chance that flu viruses will become resistant. Antivirals should not be taken without instructions from a doctor or other healthcare provider.

The most current information about antivirals and drug resistance is available on the CDC's website.

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Should I stockpile antiviral medications?

No, people should not stockpile (collect) antiviral medications.

The use of antivirals when they are not needed increases the chance that flu viruses will become resistant. Antivirals should not be taken without instructions from a doctor or other healthcare provider.

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What should I do if I am traveling to an area affected by avian flu?

Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Travelers' Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel to find out about any disease risks and CDC health recommendations for the areas you plan to visit.

Make an appointment at University Health Services' Travel Clinic for a personalized travel package (fees apply).

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The Current Status of Avian Flu

What is the current status of avian flu?

There is a current outbreak of a type of avian flu referred to as H5N1 that has been confirmed among poultry and other birds. At this time, there have not been any people with H5N1 (cases) in the United States.

There have been a small number of human cases of H5N1 in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Most of these cases resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry. Spread of avian flu from person-to-person has been very limited.

At this time, the concern is that should the avian flu virus (H5N1) change in such a way that it will be able to spread easily from person-to-person, a pandemic could develop.

Currently, the avian flu H5N1 virus does not spread easily from person-to-person and there is no pandemic flu any where in the world.

What is the best way to stay up-to-date about avian flu and the potential for a flu pandemic?

The most current information on avian flu and the potential for a flu pandemic can be found on the following websites:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
World Health Organization (WHO)

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What is UC Berkeley doing about avian flu and planning for the potential of a pandemic?

UC Berkeley has a Pandemic Flu Preparedness Task Force, established by Chancellor Birgeneau, with members representing academic and administrative areas of the University to address the potential threat of avian and pandemic flus. The Task Force is collaborating with local, state, and national health officials to establish best practices before and during a pandemic.

Campus health staff and infectious disease experts are working closely with local and state health authorities to monitor the world-wide avian flu situation and potential for a flu pandemic.

University Health Services is educating faculty, staff, and students with up-to-date printed and web-based materials (such as those available through this webpage).

For more information, please see UC Berkeley Pandemic Flu Preparedness.

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Additional Online Resources

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Other UC Berkeley Resources

  • Office of Emergency Preparedness
    http://oep.berkeley.edu/
    Provides information on campus disaster training and simulations, preparing for emergencies, and emergency resources.
  • UCB Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness
    http://www.idready.org/
    Provides information on infectious disease courses available at UC Berkeley and the Center's Pandemic Influenza Project.

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Resources for Individuals and Families

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html
    The official U.S. Government site, maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the information for individuals and families on planning for avian flu and the potential for a flu pandemic. Includes guides for planning, checklists, and information sheets.
  • Prepare.org
    http://www.prepare.org
    A website hosted by the American Red Cross to help you and your family prepare for natural and human-caused disasters.

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World and National Resources

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
    The official U.S. Government site, maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the information on planning for avian flu and the potential for a flu pandemic. Includes guides for planning, checklists, and information sheets.

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State and Local Resources

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Contact Information for University Health Services

  • Advice Nurse for Students: (510) 643-7197

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Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Last revised: April, 2007

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