What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease which spreads between wild and domestic birds. In some cases, it can spread from infected birds to other animals.
The virus rarely spreads to humans; however, workers are at risk of catching avian influenza if they have direct and close contact with infected birds or other infected animals. In very rare cases, a person infected with avian influenza may spread the illness to another person.
People infected with avian influenza often experience mild or no symptoms (asymptomatic). Symptoms in humans are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, sore throat, a cough and runny nose. Other symptoms may include difficulty breathing (such as shortness of breath), headache, muscle aches and pains, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting and conjunctivitis (red and/or sore eyes).
Some people may experience severe symptoms that require greater medical intervention.
How is avian influenza spread to people?
The virus that causes avian influenza can spread to people through direct contact with an infected bird or other animal, breathing in contaminated particles (i.e. virus particles that become airborne when the floor of an aviary is swept) or having contact with contaminated items or environments (such as bedding materials or animal pens).
The virus can enter the body through the nose, eyes and mouth.
Who is at risk?
Workers who have direct and close contact with birds or other animals, and the environments in which they live, are at greatest risk of being exposed to avian influenza. This includes:
- agricultural workers, such as poultry farmers
- veterinarians
- wildlife workers
- workers who perform work tasks in environments where birds live, such as landscapers and gardeners
- workers who perform work tasks involving animal products and waste, and
- workers involved in the butchering and handling of animal carcasses.
Further information
Further information on avian influenza can be found at: