Avian Flu

For the latest information visit Public Health Agency of Canada’s Update on Avian Influenza.

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza, often called “bird flu,” most commonly affects wild and domestic birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) is a strain of avian flu that causes high levels of death in some birds, while other birds can be infected and not show any signs of sickness.

Human cases are rare and usually occur due to unprotected contact with infected birds or animals. Person-to-person transmission of avian flu is very rare.

Sporadic detection of avian flu has been found in other animals, such as raccoons, striped skunks, red foxes, cats, dogs and cattle. In the United States, HPAI H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in unpasteurized milk from infected dairy cattle. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not detected avian flu in dairy cattle or livestock in Canada.

The risk to the general public is low, but people are discouraged from contact with wild birds and from consuming undercooked meat or poultry and unpasteurized dairy products.

Symptoms

Symptoms of avian flu are similar to symptoms of seasonal flu. In humans, symptoms are usually mild but can become severe. Symptoms include:

Fever
Chills
Cough
Wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Congestion/runny nose
Red/watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Headache
Muscle aches
Tiredness

Less common symptoms include:

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Seizures

Prevention and protection

What precautions can I take to protect myself against avian flu?

Avoid contact with wild birds and sick animals.
Do not consume raw meat or poultry or unpasteurized dairy products.
Make sure meat products are properly cooked. See eating poultry products and wild game for more information.
Get your annual flu vaccine.
- The flu vaccine does not specifically prevent avian flu, but it can help you from getting seasonal flu, which could weaken your immune system or resistance to other infections.
People who work with birds and livestock can refer to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety for more information.

How can I protect my pets or backyard poultry from avian flu?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has information on avian flu and pets, including pet birds and domestic mammals.
Backyard poultry owners should refer to the following resources:
- Food and Rural Affairs guide for raising healthy small flock poultry - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
- Information on avian influenza for backyard flock owners - Ontario Animal Health Network

How is the spread of avian influenza being prevented?

When infected domestic flocks are identified, the birds are humanely euthanized. Only essential workers are allowed to enter the barn or area where the birds live, with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Affected poultry farms are quarantined, which means that movement in and out of the farms is controlled to prevent the virus from spreading.
Birds on quarantined farms are also monitored for illness by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Exposure and testing

Who is at risk of being exposed to avian influenza?

The risk for the general population is low.
For individuals who may have been exposed to this virus through their work involving direct contact with infected birds or other animals – such as poultry farmers, veterinarians and lab workers – the risk of serious illness is low.
High risk activities include:
- Caring for diseased birds
- Dressing birds that died from the disease
- Consuming raw or inadequately cooked poultry parts and organs

I’ve recently handled a sick bird or think I have been exposed to avian influenza. What should I do?

If you have handled sick wildlife or poultry, monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days from exposure. If you develop symptoms, tell your health care provider about your exposure to birds or wildlife and whether or not you were wearing personal protective equipment.
People who have had contact with birds that are infected with avian influenza are identified and monitored by the local public health unit for ten days after their last exposure, to ensure that they do not become sick.
Influenza antiviral medication may be recommended by your health care provider to help prevent infection, particularly when there has been a lot of contact with infected birds or their environment, without adequate personal protective equipment.

Who can be tested for avian influenza?

In Ontario, people who are symptomatic and have had exposure to an infected bird or premises can be tested. Please contact your health care provider.

Eating poultry products and wild game

Can I get avian flu from eating poultry or eggs?

There is no risk of catching avian flu from fully cooked eggs or poultry.
Because of early detection and control of birds infected with avian flu, the chance of infected birds entering the food chain is very low.
Properly handled, prepared and cooked poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey, duck) does not pose a risk for avian flu.
Always store poultry products and eggs according to directions on the package.
Do not rinse poultry products before cooking them, as this can spread pathogens that may be found on the raw product.
Be sure cutting boards and utensils used to prepare raw poultry and eggs are washed and dried well, before they are used for any other foods. Anytime you handle raw poultry or egg products, wash your hands for 20 seconds in warm running water with soap.
Eggs should be cooked thoroughly before eating.
Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the proper cooking temperature:
- Whole poultry, 82°C/180°F
- Poultry pieces or ground poultry, 74°C/165°F

What if I hunt and cook wild birds such as wild geese and ducks?

People who hunt and eat wild birds should take the following precautions to help reduce risk:

Do not handle or eat sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes.
Cook game meat thoroughly, to an internal temperature of approximately 74ºC/165ºF.
Avoid direct contact with blood, feces and respiratory secretions of all wild birds and immediately remove and wash clothing that may be contaminated.
Do not eat, drink or smoke when cleaning wild game birds.
Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling or cleaning game.
Wash gloves, hands and clothing with soap and warm water immediately after you have finished cleaning game.
Thoroughly clean contaminated tools and work surfaces with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant.
Keep young children away when cleaning game birds and discourage them from playing in areas that could be contaminated with wild bird droppings.
If you become sick after handling game birds, see your health care provider and inform them that you have been in contact with wild birds.