Avian influenza symptoms
- how is avian influenza transmitted
- how is avian influenza transmitted in birds
- how is avian influenza transmitted to humans
- how is avian influenza spread to humans
Can bird flu kill humans.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans
Bird Flu in Animals and People: Causes and How It Spreads
How it spreads
Avian influenza A (bird flu) viruses may be transmitted from infected birds to other animals, and potentially to humans, in two main ways:
- Directly from infected birds or from avian influenza A virus-contaminated environments.
- Through an intermediate host, such as another animal.
Direct infection can occur from exposure to saliva, mucous, or feces from infected birds.
Bird flu infections among people are rare; however, human infections can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. People with close or prolonged unprotected contact (not wearing respiratory and eye protection) with infected birds or places that sick birds or their mucous, saliva, or feces have contaminated, might be at greater risk of bird flu virus infection.
Infection through an intermediate host is not as straightforward or as likely to occur, although it is possible.
Influenza A viruses have eight separate gene segments. The segmented genome allows influenza A viruses from different species t
- how is the avian flu virus transmitted
- how is h5n1 avian influenza virus transmitted