Avian Influenza ("Bird Flu")

Get the Facts About Bird Flu

Although H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (“bird flu”), may eventually arrive in the United States, this type of bird flu has not been found anywhere in the nation, to date. However, officials have procedures in place to detect the disease quickly, when and if it arrives.

Experts think this bird flu could come to the United States sometime this year. But, it is not here yet. What is important now is that we have the time to learn more about Bird Flu and be prepared for it. If or when bird flu arrives in the United States or Albany County, residents should know:

Bird flu is not the same thing as pandemic flu.

• Pandemic flu would make people sick all over the world.
• It would spread easily from person to person.
• Bird flu does not do that.
• Bird flu would have to change form to become pandemic flu. We don’t know if this will ever happen.

Bird flu is hard for people to catch.

• Most people who became sick with bird flu came in contact with sick chickens and ducks and touched them with their bare hands.
• You could also get bird flu by touching things that had droppings from sick or dead birds on them.
• Meat that has been cooked all the way through cannot give you bird flu.

Even though bird flu is not here right now, you should never touch live or dead wild birds with your bare hands.

• Birds can carry many kinds of germs that can make us sick.
• A bird can look fine and still be sick.
• If you have to pick up a sick or dead bird, wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.

If you are concerned about bird flu, stay aware of what’s happening elsewhere in the world. We want you to learn about it, not worry about it! The internet is a tremendous resource. Check out our website and other sites that provide helpful information including: www.nyhealth.gov, or www.avianflu.gov. If you have further questions, call our Health Education Office at (518) 447-4648.

Arm yourself with the facts—because knowledge is power.