What Is Bird Flu and How Do I Avoid It?

Animals, like humans, are susceptible to viruses, resulting in symptoms that vary in severity. Bird flu, or avian influenza, spreads through birds, cows and other animals. It also can spread to humans through the food supply or exposure to contagious animals.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu is a type of influenza that primarily spreads in birds and other animals. The most common way bird flu can spread to humans is through exposure to bodily fluids of infected animals (such as saliva, milk, respiration or feces) or by breathing in contaminated dust and particles. Although it is less common, it is possible to get bird flu by consuming the meat, dairy or eggs of an infected animal if it’s not properly prepared.

There are no confirmed cases of person-to-person spread of bird flu in the United States. While the risk for bird flu is low for most people, those who work regularly with animals — including farmers — are at greater risk.

Bird flu can result in serious illness. As with all viruses, multiple variants exist. One of the most common variants found in the United States is influenza A(H5), frequently resulting in conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Shortness of breath

In severe cases, complications may involve pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, bacterial infections, sepsis, brain swelling and respiratory failure.

Bird Flu’s Impact on the Food Supply

Birds and dairy cows are the most common animals infected with bird flu. As required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), commercial flocks are routinely tested for bird flu and infected flocks are removed from the food supply. Since 2024, dairy cows also are tested for bird flu before they are transported between states to minimize spreading the virus.

Concerned about contracting bird flu from the food you eat? The good news is you cannot get bird flu from eating properly cooked poultry or eggs or by drinking pasteurized milk, as the virus dies in high-heat environments.

Bird flu may significantly affect supply and demand, as well as lead to increased costs for certain food products. In times of outbreak, removing these animals from the food supply can reduce overall availability, leading to higher prices. During or following an outbreak of bird flu, consumers may notice increased prices for food items that come from birds and dairy cows, such as chicken, turkey and other poultry and gamebirds, eggs and dairy products.

Safety Measures to Lower Bird Flu Risk

Prevention is the best strategy to lower your risk of contracting bird flu, including the following safety tips:

• Avoid animal exposure: Avoid contact with potentially sick or wild animals. If you must be exposed to sick or wild animals, wear proper protective gear like gloves, a mask and eye protection.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash hands often and thoroughly, especially after exposure to animals.
• Handle and prepare food safely: Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly (to an internal temperature of 165°F) and avoid consuming raw or undercooked poultry and eggs. Drink pasteurized milk and avoid raw milk.