There’s a Bird Flu Outbreak — Should You Be Worried?

If you follow the news, you may remember previous bird flu outbreaks. Avian influenza A (H5N1) is a strain of influenza virus that’s common among birds. It’s been causing influenza outbreaks on poultry farms since the late 1990s — and it’s a concern again now. 

Viruses that cause bird flu rarely pass to humans. But when they do, you’re likely to hear about it. Experts are worried about this current outbreak because the virus has jumped from birds to mammals easily and it continues to spread more than a year later. So far, there haven’t been many cases in humans, and there haven’t been any cases of human-to-human transmission.

But bird flu isn’t just a public health concern from an illness perspective — it can also impact your food supply. Since the virus can pass to other animals like chickens and cattle, bird flu outbreaks can wreak havoc on food production.

So, just how concerned do we need to be about the current bird flu outbreak? 

What is bird flu (avian influenza)?

The term “bird flu” describes a collection of influenza viruses that affect birds. Wild water birds, such as ducks, often carry these viruses but rarely become sick. But they shed the virus in their saliva, feces, and nasal secretions, which can spread to other bird species who do get sick. 

Bird flu in humans

Most avian (bird) influenza viruses don’t cause problems for humans. But sometimes, they do. The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) has caused human illness in the past. 

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H5N1 initially emerged in 1997 in Hong Kong, where health experts recognized it could infect humans. Six people died during that outbreak. Since then, H5N1 has reappeared a few more times, usually causing outbreaks in poultry and disrupting food supplies. Occasionally, it has also led to human illness. 

The current outbreak making the news is also due to influenza A H5N1. There have been many human cases, mostly in dairy and poultry farm workers.

Bird flu in other animals

Since early 2024, influenza A H5N1 has been detected in:

• Dairy cattle

• Poultry farms 

• Multiple species of mammals

• House cats

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Current bird flu risk

The CDC says bird flu poses a low risk to public health right now. The virus doesn’t seem to be passing easily to humans. And people who do get sick aren’t passing it to others. Because of this, the risk of a widespread outbreak is currently low.

Most humans who’ve gotten sick from bird flu were exposed to infected animals. But, in some cases, it’s unclear how they got bird flu since they had no known exposure.

H5N1 has a high pathogenic potential, meaning it can cause severe illness. That’s why public health officials track viruses like this. 

Health officials also monitor bird flu strains because influenza viruses can change quickly. If H5N1 mutates in a way that lets it spread easily between humans, it could cause outbreaks that lead to serious illness in many people.

How does bird flu spread to humans?

Humans can catch bird flu in a few different ways:

• Direct contact with birds that are sick with bird flu

• Inhaling respiratory droplets that contain bird flu virus

• Contact with objects that have the virus on them

People with close or prolonged contact with sick birds or animals are at higher risk of catching bird flu. This could include:

• Dairy and poultry farm workers

• Food processing workers

• Hunters 

• Veterinarians and others who work with wild birds or animals

The good news is that there haven’t been any cases of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 during the current outbreak.

Bird flu symptoms in humans

People who get sick with bird flu can develop symptoms like:

• Eye redness (conjunctivitis)

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Headache 

• Fatigue 

Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Some people can also develop lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia. Lower respiratory tract infections are usually more serious and can cause symptoms like:

• Trouble breathing, especially with activity

• Shortness of breath

• Worsening cough

• Rapid breathing 

What to do if you get bird flu

Get medical care as soon as possible if you have symptoms and think you were exposed to bird flu. You can also call your local public health department for guidance on testing. 

You can get tested for the virus with a nose or throat swab. These tests are most accurate during the first few days of illness, so it’s best to get tested early. Stay home and away from other people until you have your test result.

Treatment for bird flu includes antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These medications work best if started within 2 days of when your symptoms start. They can help lower your chances of developing severe illness due to bird flu. 

Bird flu symptoms in poultry and other animals

Wild birds, like ducks and geese, may carry bird flu without showing any symptoms. 

Signs and symptoms of bird flu in poultry include:

• Sudden, unexpected death

• Coughing, sneezing, or gasping for air

• Swelling and discoloration of the comb and wattles

• Fewer or abnormal egg production

Cats infected with bird flu might appear to be:

• Stiffer than usual

• Clumsy or off-balance

• Blind

• Less active than usual

Dairy cows may show these signs of bird flu:

• Decreased or abnormal-looking milk 

• Tiredness

• Decreased appetite

• Nasal discharge

How to prevent avian flu

There are ways to prevent bird flu in both your pets and loved ones. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Avoid contact with wild birds and bird droppings. 

• Don’t touch animal carcasses.

• Wear protective gear if you work with livestock or poultry.

• Completely cook all poultry and beef before eating.

• Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and related dairy products.

• Don’t feed your pets raw milk or raw food.

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after handling animals.

• Avoid touching your face when working with poultry or livestock.

Keep in mind that a regular flu vaccination doesn’t protect against bird flu viruses. The CDC has announced early stages of bird flu vaccination development in case it’s needed. 

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Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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