What is Bird Flu?
Like people, birds can get the flu, and the avian influenza viruses that make birds sick can sometimes infect other animals like cows and, rarely, people, the National Library of Medicine explains. H5 is one family of bird flu viruses. It has caused widespread flu in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes. Some farm workers exposed to those animals have also gotten sick. H5 has nine subtypes, including H5N1, the strain responsible for the recent illnesses.
Is There a Bird Flu Outbreak?
There have been 46 confirmed human cases in the U.S. during the 2024 outbreak, according to the CDC. They were reported in California, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Washington State. Almost all patients had contact with infected cattle or poultry. The single exception — a patient in Missouri — had no known animal exposure. There’s been no confirmed person-to-person spread.
Could Bird Flu Turn into a Pandemic?
Both experts say it’s unlikely this particular strain of bird flu would lead to a pandemic because it doesn’t have the ability to spread efficiently between people. H5N1 has been infecting humans since 1997, so it’s had time to evolve, but still doesn’t easily jump from person to person, Adalja points out. "I don’t think that this is the highest risk bird flu strain," he says. "You can’t say the risk is zero. But of the bird flu viruses, it’s lower risk."
Could There Be a Lockdown Due to Bird Flu?
Again, not likely for this strain, since H5N1 isn’t posing a threat to the general public, both experts say. If that were to change, people should realize lockdowns, like those during COVID-19, are not the "go-to measure" for an infectious disease emergency, Adalja says, calling them "very blunt tools." Instead, proactive measures — such as more aggressive testing of farm animals — will allow health officials to be much more precise when it comes to stopping the spread of infection.
Is There a Bird Flu Vaccine?
Four vaccine candidates for dairy cows have been approved for field trials, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In poultry, four potential bird flu vaccines began to be tested in 2023, Reuters reported. When it comes to humans, the CDC says the U.S. government is developing vaccines against H5N1 viruses "in case they are needed." The agency adds it has H5 candidate vaccine viruses that could be used to produce a vaccine for people, and preliminary analysis shows "they are expected to provide good protection" against H5N1.
Bird Flu Symptoms and Prevention
The CDC lists the following bird flu symptoms:
• Eye redness
• Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
• Fever or feeling feverish
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia requiring hospitalization
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures (these are less common symptoms)
The people most at risk for H5N1 bird flu are dairy and poultry workers who might be around infected animals, Adalja says. They should wear personal protective equipment while working on farms affected by the virus, the CDC advises. When it comes to the general public, "don’t consume raw milk, full stop" since H5N1 is viable in it, Lipkin says. Pasteurized milk can eliminate the risk of infection, he notes.
Conclusion
The recent case of H5N1 bird flu in a Canadian teenager has raised concerns about the potential for another pandemic or lockdown. However, experts believe that the current strain is unlikely to lead to a pandemic, as it doesn’t easily spread between people. Proactive measures, such as testing of farm animals, are being taken to prevent the spread of infection.
FAQs
Q: What is bird flu?
A: Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of flu that affects birds and can sometimes infect other animals and humans.
Q: Is there a bird flu outbreak?
A: Yes, there have been 46 confirmed human cases in the U.S. during the 2024 outbreak.
Q: Could bird flu turn into a pandemic?
A: Unlikely, as the current strain, H5N1, doesn’t have the ability to spread efficiently between people.
Q: Could there be a lockdown due to bird flu?
A: Not likely, as the current strain isn’t posing a threat to the general public.
Q: Is there a bird flu vaccine?
A: Yes, vaccine candidates for dairy cows and poultry are being developed, and the U.S. government is also working on vaccines for humans.
Q: What are the symptoms of bird flu?
A: Symptoms include eye redness, mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, pneumonia requiring hospitalization, and diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures (less common symptoms).
