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Avian Influenza
What is avian influenza and what
are the symptoms?
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird)
influenza (flu) viruses. These avian flu viruses occur
naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the
viruses, but usually do not become sick. However,
avian influenza is very contagious among birds
and can make some domesticated birds, such as
chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and can even
cause death. Birds shed the flu virus in their saliva,
nasal secretions and feces. Birds can become infected
when they have contact with contaminated secretions
or feces, or with contaminated surfaces or food
(such as cage floors or feeding bins). Domesticated
birds may also contract the virus if they have direct
contact with other infected birds or contact with the
secretions of an infected bird. One specific avian flu
virus: Influenza A (H5N1) virus — also called “H5N1
virus” — has made millions of domesticated birds in
Asia and surrounding countries ill with a high bird
mortality (death) rate. This strain is highly contagious
among birds.
Is avian influenza contagious to me,
other family members and pets?
H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but
infections with this virus have occurred in humans.
Most of these cases occur when people have direct
or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1contaminated surfaces. A small number of mammalian
species (warm-blooded animals) besides humans
are susceptible to avian influenza such as felines and
minks. Reports of the disease in felines and minks are
very rare, with only a handful of cases every year. Due
to the prevalence of the disease in Asia, yet very small
numbers of confirmed human and feline cases, the
transmission of the H5N1 virus from birds to mammals
is believed to be extremely uncommon. At this time,
there is no evidence to show that cats could pass the disease
to humans or other cats. Cats are usually exposed to the
disease by eating birds that are ill with the H5N1 virus.
To date, there is only one report that a dog was infected and
died from this virus.
At this time, the H5N1 avian flu virus is not present in
North America. Organizations such as the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and World Health Organization are working
closely with affected countries to slow and hopefully stop
the spread of the disease. Currently, there is no rapid test
for diagnosis of pets with avian influenza virus infection.
If your pet is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, please schedule
an examination with your veterinarian. Remember,
coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and nose are associated
with a variety of diseases and conditions. Your Banfield
doctor is best qualified to make a diagnosis, get your pet
feeling well again, and discuss any concerns your family
may have.
What can you do to protect the entire
family?
As always, practice good hygiene for your pet and family.
Encourage family members to wash exposed areas of skin
after petting and playing with pets. Bird pet owners should
not allow their feathered friends to play in areas that wild
birds have access to, and should not feed or water their
pet bird with dishes or food that wild birds have contacted.
The safest place for your feathered friends is inside with
the family. Do not allow your cat to hunt or eat birds. Indoor
cats live longer, happier lives. Again, the H5N1 avian
flu virus has not been reported in North America. Asian
countries that are experiencing high levels of bird mortality
due to this disease still have very low occurrences of the
disease in humans or pets. If your Banfield doctor suspects
your pet has a highly contagious disease of any kind,
isolation from other family pets will be recommended. As
always, if you have any quest-ions or concerns, please
contact your Banfield hospital team.
For additional information, please contact your Banfield medical team.