Answers to Common Questions on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
by Drew Snyder, Ph.D.

• Avian Influenza A (H5N1) or "Bird Flu" is a highly dangerous flu that has killed 50-80% of individuals that have been infected by it.  It is up to 100% lethal in birds.

• Currently the Bird Flu (H5N1) as its name suggests is mostly found in birds.  There have been a limited, but growing number of cases in which humans have been infected with the virus from birds.  So far there have been almost no cases in which someone has been infected by another person. 
• So far isolated cases of Bird Flu (H5N1) in humans have been reported in: Hong Kong, China, Viet Nam (Vietnam), Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Turkey. 
• The Bird Flu (H5N1) virus has been reported in domestic poultry or migratory birds in: China, Republic of Korea (North Korea), Viet Nam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania, and Croatia.
• A detailed timeline from the World Health Organization (WHO) can be found here: H5N1 Avian Influenza – Timeline

When should I panic?

• Prior to Avian Flu (H5N1) becoming a widespread danger a couple of major milestones would have to occur:  
1. The current Bird Flu would have to mutate into a virus that could easily be spread from person-to-person
2. The new mutated virus would have to retain the highly pathologic properties that make it so deadly in its current form 
• If and when the Bird Flu virus starts spreading efficiently from person-to-person in a sustained manor then it will have become a pandemic and the consequences will be very grave.

What can I do now?

• The usual precautions to prevent any flu virus definitely apply:
• Wash you hands thoroughly and often and/or use alcohol gels
• Avoid touching your face except after washing hands
• Do not eat or drink after other people and do not share utensils
• Avoid face-to-face contact with people that have flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, etc.)

What additional steps can I take if I am traveling to a region that has had an outbreak or if there is an outbreak in my country?

• Make sure and follow the above recommendations including good hand hygiene
• Get immunized with the current seasonal flu shot (trivalent human influenza vaccine) at least 2 weeks prior to traveling
• Avoid direct contact with living poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, or any other birds) 
• Also avoid places where birds live including farms and markets to prevent contact with bird feces or excrement
• Do not eat undercooked poultry or eggs
• Thoroughly wash your hands after coming into contact with raw poultry or eggs
• If you start having flu like symptoms within a couple weeks of traveling to an area with Bird Flu consult a medical doctor

Is there a drug I can take if Bird Flu becomes a big problem?

• Prevention – Currently there are not any commercially available vaccines against any H5 type of flu virus including Bird Flu (H5N1).  There are several candidate vaccines that are currently in clinical (human) trials.  Since flu viruses mutate so quickly it would be unlikely that an effective vaccine would be available at the beginning of a worldwide Bird Flu pandemic.
• Treatment – Early treatment with an antiviral agent may prove effective for Bird Flu therapy.  Currently there are four antiviral (neuraminidase inhibitors) drugs approved by the FDA to prevent or treat influenza in the US.  Of these the Avian Flu (H5N1) is already highly resistant to two of them Symmetrel (amantadine) and Flumadine (rimantadine).  In other words these two drugs (or other M2 inhibitors) will not work for treating Bird Flu (H5N1).  The other two antiviral drugs Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) should still be effective treatments against the Bird Flu (H5N1) virus. An additional antiviral drug peramivir is currently under clinical investigation and upon approval it should also be a useful treatment against the Bird Flu virus.

What should I do if I think I have bird flu or if I have been exposed to someone with bird flu?

• Contact a medical doctor immediately.  They will be able to give you the best treatment available if you do have the virus or find you the best vaccine available if you are at high risk.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Resources:

About the author:  Drew Snyder, Ph.D. is a medical researcher and freelance writer living in Southern California.  The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The information on this website is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.  This website is not designed to make any diagnoses or treatment decisions regarding any medical condition.  Please consult a medical doctor prior to initiating, altering, or terminating any medical treatment.


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