Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Humans
- Shawn Hegarty
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Avian influenza A viruses—also called “bird flu”—usually spread between birds and other animals they encounter. It is rare for bird flu to spread to humans.
Currently, the bird flu virus spreading in the United States and globally is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1)—referred to below as "H5N1 bird flu." The current risk to public health is low.
H5N1 bird flu is mainly affecting animal health.
There is no known human-to-human spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments are monitoring the situation.
The Vermont Department of Health is prepared to respond if there are human exposures to H5N1 bird flu in Vermont or if the risk to public health increases.
Important Links
Get the latest on CDC monitoring of H5N1 in the United States and how people can protect themselves.
How it spreads
Bird flu infections in people are most often from:
Close or prolonged contact with infected birds or other animals (including dairy cows and other livestock) without gloves or other protective gear.
Spending time in environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bird flu infections in people have ranged from mild (eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe illness (pneumonia) that have resulted in death in other countries.
Signs and Symptoms may include:
Fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater) or feeling feverish (fever may not always be present)
Cough
Sore throat
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Conjunctivitis (eye tearing, redness, irritation, or discharge from eye)
Headaches
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures (less common)
Prevention
Observe wild birds and other animals only from a distance. Do not touch wildlife or animals that may be sick or are dead.
Wash your hands and wear personal protective equipment if you work directly or closely with sick or dead animals, animal feces, litter, raw milk, and other materials that might have the virus.
Wear PPE when working with potentially infected animals and their environment (CDC)
If you drink milk, make sure it is pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process of heating liquids to high temperatures for a short time. This process kills harmful germs that can make you sick, including the H5N1 bird flu virus that can infect dairy cows. Pasteurization does not affect the milk’s taste or nutritional value. Raw milk is not pasteurized and is not recommended for drinking or cooking, particularly during a bird flu outbreak.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has been proven to survive in raw milk for at least five weeks under refrigeration.
Get a seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses. But it can reduce the risk of getting infected with both seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time, which could lead to a more severe illness.
If you have had unprotected contact with animals infected with H5N1 Bird Flu, see Information for People Exposed to Birds or Other Animals Infected with Avian Influenza Viruses (CDC) (English/Spanish).
Treatment
You may be prescribed flu antiviral medicines if you get sick after being exposed to birds or other animals that are or might be infected with bird flu. These medicines can make your symptoms milder and not as long-lasting. It’s important to take the medication as directed as soon as possible.
Role of Public Health
The Vermont Department of Health is working closely with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to prepare for possible cases of H5N1 bird flu in Vermont dairy cattle. This partnership includes providing personal protective equipment for those who work with dairy cattle or other animals that could be infected and connecting with community partners that serve dairy cattle workers.
If the virus is detected in a dairy cow, the Health Department will:
Work with the farm to identify people who might have been exposed to the sick animal.
Provide information and resources.
Actively monitor people with a high risk of exposure for signs and symptoms of illness.
Coordinate testing for people with symptoms and recommend next steps.
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