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Information about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
There has been much recent attention given to the “Bird Flu.” Since Amtrak Health Services has the health of its employees and the traveling public as our primary concern, we offer the following summary of information from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Do bird flu viruses infect humans?
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.
How does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
Can you get bird flu from eating chicken or other poultry?
No -- if the meat is fully cooked. Cooking kills flu viruses in poultry, meat, and eggs. The bird flu virus can survive on raw meat from infected poultry. Proper hygiene -- hand washing and the disinfecting of all surfaces that come in contact with the meat -- is essential.
What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry.
What is an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?
Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.
What is the risk to humans from the H5N1 virus in Asia?
The H5N1 virus does not usually infect humans. In 1997, however, the first case of spread from a bird to a human was seen during an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Hong Kong. Since that time, there have been other cases of H5N1 infection among humans. Most of these cases occurred from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, it is thought that a few cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 have occurred. So far, spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been rare and spread has not continued beyond one person.
Is a bird flu pandemic imminent?
Since all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If the H5N1 virus were able to infect people and spread easily from person to person, an influenza “pandemic” (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. No one can predict when a pandemic might occur but experts from around the world believe that one is probably not imminent.
Is there a cure for bird flu?
No. There's no cure for any kind of flu. However, antiviral drugs taken very soon after symptoms -- such as a sudden fever -- appear to make the illness less severe. The H5N1 bird flu is resistant to an older class of flu drugs, but remains sensitive to Tamiflu and Relenza. The H5N1 bird flu bug has been particularly deadly for people unlucky enough to catch it from poultry. But if the bug learns to spread among humans, it almost certainly won't be as deadly as it is now
Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?
There currently is no vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia. However, vaccine development efforts are under way. When vaccines become available, health and public-safety workers and the most vulnerable people will get them first. Scarce flu drugs would be used to treat serious infections. If supplies permit, they would also be given to close contacts of infected people.
What is the risk to people in the United States from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia?
The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia has not been found in the United States. There have been no human cases of H5N1 flu in the United States. It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries in Asia could be infected. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.
As an Amtrak employee, what can I do to protect the traveling public and myself?
Bird flu is usually most dangerous to young children and to the elderly. Fortunately, our employees generally do not fall into high-risk categories. Nevertheless, it is wise to optimize your health by maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol intake. See your personal physician for regular check-ups and seek medical attention if you become ill. Consider getting the “common” flu shot against human flu viruses, especially if you are in a high-risk group.
Avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and be careful when handling and cooking poultry. If a bird flu pandemic occurs, there's a very good way to minimize the chance of getting infected: Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing is the best way to avoid a viral infection -- including the flu. Remember to use soap and warm water, and to scrub all parts of the hand. The rule of thumb, as it were, is to scrub the hands and fingers until you finish singing the alphabet song to yourself.
Experts recommend against individuals stocking up on flu drugs. First of all, the drugs are in short supply. In the event of a pandemic, public health workers will need all the flu drugs they can get in order to treat people actually exposed to the virus. The drugs won't do nearly as much good sitting in people's medicine cabinets. And even if you had the drugs on hand, when would you take them? Without a flu test, it's hard to know whether your symptoms are the flu or another respiratory infection. And the pills only work against the flu.
Stay informed. Knowledge is the best weapon against panic. If and when a bird flu pandemic develops, as the country’s national inter-city rail service we will be expected to maintain our professionalism, while contributing to a far-reaching public health effort. This can only be achieved with thoughtful actions by well-informed employees.
For additional information refer to:
www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en
www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/geninfo/pandemics.htm
www.cdc.gov/flu
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