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Avian Influenza Information

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Avian influenza (bird flu) refers to disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. Bird flu viruses can infect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of birds and have been identified from more than 100 different species of wild birds around the world. Wild aquatic birds including gulls, terns, and shorebirds, and wild waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans are considered reservoirs (natural hosts) for bird flu viruses. Most wild birds infected with bird flu viruses are asymptomatic (i.e., do not exhibit signs or symptoms of illness). Some bird flu viruses can infect domestic poultry and other domestic and backyard birds, and outbreaks of bird flu in domestic poultry occur worldwide.

  • H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several cases of H5 in U.S. dairy workers.
  • While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
  • CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5N1 activity in people.

Informational Links

 Map of California with darkened counties showing which counties have had cases of Avian Flu - it reads Location: California, County: Mendocino, Birds Detected: 4

H5N1 Bird Flu Detections across the United States

Avian Flu 1

Avian Flu 2

Avian Flu 3

The current risk to the public in California from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in wild birds, poultry, wild mammals, and livestock is considered low. The situation is ongoing and evolving. Please check back frequently as information will be updated as it becomes available.

California Updates:

 U.S. Updates:

Protection & Prevention:

 

  • Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Flu can make both people and animals sick.

  • Different kinds of animals can get flu, including birds and mammals such as cattle, pigs, dogs, cats, and horses. Novel flu means “new flu” and is a type of disease that can spread between animals and humans (called a “zoonosis”).

  • Novel flu is different from seasonal flu in humans. Seasonal flu normally spreads among humans and infects many people every year.

  • Flu viruses from birds and pigs can make people sick. Dog flu, cat flu, and horse flu are not known to make people sick and are not a health concern for humans.

  • Most people do not have any immunity against novel flu, so prevention is important to keep novel flu from spreading.