Bird flu and children - Children's National

Recent bird flu outbreaks have been making headlines across the country, leaving many parents worried about their family's health and safety. As reports of H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and poultry continue to surface, you might be wondering what this means for your children, your backyard chickens or even your family pets. Here's what you need to know.

Understanding bird flu (avian influenza): Key facts for parents

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds. While it naturally occurs among wild aquatic birds worldwide, it can also infect domestic poultry like chickens, ducks and turkeys. The most concerning strain is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 virus, which can cause severe illness in birds and, rarely, in humans.

How does bird flu spread? Understanding transmission risks

Bird flu is caused by Type A influenza viruses that occur naturally in wild waterfowl and shorebirds. These birds often carry the viruses without getting sick, acting as natural reservoirs. The problem arises when these viruses spread to domestic poultry, where they can mutate and become more dangerous.

The disease typically spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected birds
• Contact with surfaces contaminated by infected bird droppings
• Movement of infected poultry between farms
• Migration of wild birds carrying the virus

Bird flu transmission from animals to humans

Bird flu can be transmitted from animals to humans, although it's relatively rare. Human infections typically occur when people have close, direct contact with infected birds or their environments. This usually happens in situations such as:

• Working directly with infected poultry
• Visiting live poultry markets in areas with outbreaks
• Handling infected birds without proper protection
• Living in close proximity to backyard poultry that become infected

It's important to note that human-to-human transmission of bird flu is extremely rare and has only occurred in very limited circumstances.

Recognizing bird flu symptoms in children and adults

If someone becomes infected with bird flu, symptoms typically appear within 2 to 8 days. The symptoms can be similar to regular flu but are often more severe. Parents should watch for:

• High fever (often over 100.4°F)
• Severe cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• In some cases, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

If your child has been around birds and develops these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Food safety and bird flu: Handling poultry products

Here's some reassuring news for parents: You cannot get bird flu from properly handled and cooked poultry products. To ensure food safety at home:

• Always wash hands thoroughly when handling raw poultry.
• Keep raw poultry separate from other foods.
• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry.
• Never wash raw chicken (it can spread bacteria).
• Cook all poultry products thoroughly (to 165°F).
• Cook eggs until both whites and yolks are firm.

Remember, commercial poultry products in the United States are continuously monitored for bird flu, and safety measures are in place throughout the production process. Your family can continue to enjoy chicken, eggs and dairy products as part of a healthy diet.

Bird flu risk for pet birds: Safety guidelines for bird owners

The risk of getting bird flu from pet birds like parakeets, cockatiels and parrots is extremely low. Here's what parents should know:

Indoor pet birds:

• Pet birds that live exclusively indoors and have no contact with wild birds or poultry are at minimal risk of contracting bird flu.
• The virus primarily affects wild waterfowl and domestic poultry rather than common pet bird species.
• Pet birds obtained from reputable breeders or pet stores undergo health screenings and quarantine periods.

However, it's still important to practice good hygiene with pet birds:

• Wash hands thoroughly after handling your pet bird, cleaning its cage or touching its toys or food dishes.
• Keep your bird's cage clean and well-maintained.
• Watch for signs of illness in your pet bird, such as:
  • Decreased appetite
  • Unusual sleepiness
  • Ruffled feathers
  • Respiratory problems
  • Changes in droppings

If you have both indoor pet birds and backyard poultry:

• Change clothes and wash hands between handling different bird groups.
• Keep indoor birds physically separated from outdoor birds.
• Don't share food, water containers or toys between indoor and outdoor birds.
• Consider having dedicated caretakers for each group of birds.

If your pet bird shows any signs of illness, contact a veterinarian promptly. While bird flu is unlikely in pet birds, other bird diseases can be transmitted to humans, so maintaining good hygiene practices is always important for your family's health.

Bird flu and family pets: What dog and cat owners need to know

While dogs and cats can technically contract bird flu, the risk is very low, and transmission to humans is extremely rare. Here's what parents need to know:

Dogs:

• Dogs are highly resistant to bird flu infections.
• There have been no documented cases of dogs transmitting bird flu to humans.
• The virus doesn't easily replicate in dogs, making them poor hosts for the virus.

Cats:

• Cats are somewhat more susceptible to bird flu than dogs.
• Infections typically only occur when cats eat infected birds.
• Indoor cats have virtually no risk of contracting bird flu.
• There have been no confirmed cases of cats transmitting bird flu to humans.

To keep your pets safe:

• Keep cats indoors, especially during bird flu outbreaks in your area.
• Don't let your pets hunt or eat wild birds.
• If you live in an area with known bird flu cases, keep dogs leashed during walks to prevent them from investigating dead birds.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows unusual symptoms after contact with wild birds or poultry.

Bird flu in dairy cattle

Since March 2024, a different strain of bird flu has been detected in dairy cattle across multiple states and has caused mild respiratory symptoms in cattle. So far, at least 40 people who work directly with infected cattle have developed mild illness, typically experiencing eye infections or mild respiratory issues. Importantly, these cases have occurred in people who had close, direct contact with infected cattle, such as dairy workers and farm employees. The risk to the general public remains low, but staying informed and making smart choices about dairy products will help protect your family's health.

Commercial pasteurized milk from grocery stores remains safe to drink, however, there is a risk of contracting the virus from consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products from infected cows.

Additionally, if your family visits a dairy farm, avoid direct contact with cattle and wash hands thoroughly after the visit.

Bird flu prevention tips

While bird flu cases in humans are rare, taking preventive measures can help keep your family safe. Here are practical steps you can follow:

For families with backyard poultry:

• Keep children away from sick or dead birds.
• Ensure proper hand hygiene after any contact with birds or their environment.
• Have dedicated "chicken clothes and shoes" that stay outside.
• Clean and disinfect any equipment used around poultry.
• Monitor your flock's health and report any unusual deaths to local authorities.

General bird flu prevention tips:

• Teach children to avoid touching wild birds, especially those that appear sick or dead.
• Keep a safe distance from wild waterfowl in parks and ponds.
• Practice regular hand washing, especially before meals.
• When traveling to areas with bird flu outbreaks:
  • Avoid live bird markets and farms.
  • Stay away from surfaces that may be contaminated with bird droppings.
  • Follow local public health guidelines and warnings.

If you're thinking about raising chickens in your backyard, talk to your local farming or agriculture office first. They can teach you the best ways to keep your chickens - and your family - healthy and safe. While the chances of getting bird flu are small if you follow safety steps, it's still important to stay up to date on bird flu news and keep washing those hands!

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