This page is part of the Pet Bird Flu Information Center.

To learn about Bird Flu, lets first examine how it "flows" through the system below.

Wild Birds

Avian Influenza in birds is a sickness caused by bird flu viruses. Many wild birds carry the virus in their intestines, but do not become sick from it. They spread the disease by contact. Birds with the disease secrete the virus in their saliva (spit), nasal secretions (out the nasal holes in their beaks) and in their feces (poop). Those who have been around wild birds are aware they are almost always scratching at something with their feet, pecking at something, or pooping on something. plus many species are constantly moving/milling around. Their restless nature, plus their capability of flight makes them an excellent carrier for diseases spread by contact. In addition the often move in flocks that create even wider dispersions contaminated surfaces.

In terms of the current "Bird Flu", waterfowl (wild ducks, geese) appear to be a major agent in spreading the disease. They are among the most frequently infected wild birds, highly social, travel as flocks, and often migrate huge distances making them even better carriers than other birds.

Domestic Birds / Poultry

Domestic birds (like ducks, chickens and turkeys) get the disease when they come in direct contact with infected wild birds, or when they come in contact with surfaces contaminated by the secretions or feces of infected wild birds. This often happens when wild birds have been in or on their cages, water or feed. Unlike wild birds that frequently carry the virus without becoming ill, domestic birds frequently become ill or die from the virus. Domestic poultry get one of two general forms of bird flu. One form makes them mildly sick, while the other usually kills them (and most domestic poultry around them) within 48 hours.

Humans

Every year millions of humans get sick from flu viruses. Currently there are three general subtypes of flu normally contracted by humans (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2). Portions of the genetic contents of all three of these viruses probably came from birds in the past. Normal flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and aches. It is spread by sneezing, coughing and person to person contact.

Avian Influenza is normally found in birds, but can be found in humans. Most humans are not infected by the disease and those that are susceptible to the virus must come into direct contact with it (handle the birds, be exposed to secretions or feces of the birds). Most cases to date have happened in areas where people live with or in very close contact with poultry (domesticated ducks, chickens, turkeys). Humans contracting the avian versions of the virus typically have normal flu symptoms, possibly along with more severe complications, depending on exactly which virus has been contracted. To date, humans very rarely transmit the "bird version" to another human.

H5N1 is the specific strain of avian flu in the news. It is highly contagious to birds but usually does not infect people. However, a few people have contracted H5N1. Those people lived in very close contact with infected domestic poultry (dead or alive) or surfaces contaminated by them. H5N1 has caused more severe cases and deaths among humans than other versions of Avian Influenza that occasionally infect people.

Scientists are very concerned H5N1 may mutate into a virus that infects humans and can be spread from person to person resulting in a global pandemic with millions of people rapidly contracting the disease.

Pets

H5N1 was found in a dead cat in Germany on the island of Rugen in late February 2006. The European Union has advised its member states to take certain actions with dogs and cats in infected areas (areas where Avian Influenza is H5N1 is present).

Laboratory tests have confirmed that similar to birds, cats shed the virus from their intestinal and respiratory tracts, transmitting the virus to other cats and possibly to other mammals. Since most humans are not susceptible to the H5N1 in its current form, the current risk of transmission from cat to human is relatively low, but not impossible because some humans have caught H5N1 from contact with infected poultry.

Dogs can similarly contract the disease by eating infected wild birds or infected poultry.

Both dogs and cats are notorious for finding dead birds, dragging them around and chewing on them.

Other Animals

Other animals that may become infected include wild dogs, pigs, leopards, civits, seals and other fur bearing animals. All carnivores could become infected by eating infected wild birds.

For additional general information on bird flu, see the General section of our Bird Flu Links Page

Special thanks to the Center for Disease Control for their Bird Flu Fact Sheet upon which much of the brief summary above is based.

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