What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the “highly pathogenic” form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100%, often within 48 hours.

How does avian influenza spread among birds?
Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with excretions or secretions. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.

Do avian influenza viruses infect humans?
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but more than 190 confirmed cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains situation updates and cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1). Please visit these and previous WHO situation updates and cumulative reports for additional information.

How do people become infected with avian influenza viruses?
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from an ill person to another person has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person. During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have direct or close contact with infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds.

What are the symptoms of avian influenza in humans?
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress syndrome), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which specific virus subtype and strain caused the infection.

How is avian influenza detected in humans?
A laboratory test is needed to confirm avian influenza in humans.

What are the implications of avian influenza to human health?
Two main risks for human health from avian influenza are 1) the risk of direct infection when the virus passes from the infected bird to humans, sometimes resulting in severe disease; and 2) the risk that the virus – if given enough opportunities – will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person.

How is avian influenza in humans treated?
Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these medicines.

Does the current seasonal influenza vaccine protect me from avian influenza?
No. Influenza vaccine for the 2005-06 season does not provide protection against avian influenza.

Should I wear a surgical mask to prevent exposure to avian influenza?
Currently, wearing a mask is not recommended for routine use (e.g., in public) for preventing influenza exposure. In the United States, disposable surgical and procedure masks have been widely used in health-care settings to prevent exposure to respiratory infections, but the masks have not been used commonly in community settings, such as schools, businesses, and public gatherings.

Is there a risk for becoming infected with avian influenza by eating poultry?
There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection for avian influenza viruses. For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, visit the World Health Organization website.

The U.S. government carefully controls domestic and imported food products, and in 2004 issued a ban on importation of poultry from countries affected by avian influenza viruses, including the H5N1 strain. This ban still is in place. For more information, see Embargo of Birds from Specified Countries.

We have a small flock of chickens. Is it safe to keep them?
Yes. In the United States there is no need at present to remove a flock of chickens because of concerns regarding avian influenza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors potential infection of poultry and poultry products by avian influenza viruses and other infectious disease agents.

What precautions can be taken to reduce the risk for infection from wild birds in the United States?
As a general rule, the public should observe wildlife, including wild birds, from a distance. This protects you from possible exposure to pathogens and minimizes disturbance to the animal. Avoid touching wildlife. If there is contact with wildlife do not rub eyes, eat, drink, or smoke before washing hands with soap and water. Do not pick up diseased or dead wildlife. Contact your state, tribal, or federal natural resource agency if a sick or dead animal is found.

What precautions can hunters take to reduce the risk for infection when hunting birds in the United States?
Hunters should follow routine precautions when handling game, including wild birds. The National Wildlife Health Center recommends that hunters:

• Do not handle or eat sick game.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game, wash hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled), and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling animals.
• Cook all game thoroughly
  

What’s Included in the Law?
Beginning July 1, 2006, smoking will no longer be allowed in most indoor public places including (but not limited to):

• Restaurants, bars, gaming facilities such as bingo halls, billiard or pool halls, bowling alleys, public buildings, grocery stores or any food service establishment..
• Theaters, museums, libraries, schools, educational institutions, and common areas of retirement facilities, publicly-owned housing facilities and nursing homes.
• Lobbies, elevators, rest rooms, reception areas, hallways and any other common-use areas in public and private buildings, condominiums and other multiple-unit residential facilities.
• Indoor sports arenas, gymnasiums and auditoriums.
• Heath care facilities, hospitals, health care clinics, doctor’s offices and child day care facilities.
• Common areas in hotels and motels, and no less than 75 percent of hotel or motel sleeping quarters rented to guests.
• Jury waiting and deliberation rooms, courtrooms and public meetings.
• Government-owned mass transit of any kind, taxi cabs and limousines not under private hire.
• Any place of employment not exempted.
  

• Live in Colorado or live in a state bordering Colorado and receive breast and/or cervical health care in Colorado;
• Have limited or no insurance to pay for these exams;
• At least one year since last Pap test or Mammogram;
• Meet income requirements:

Family Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income
1	$24,500	$2,024
2	$33,000	$2,750
3	$41,500	$3,458
4	$50,000	$4,167
5	$58,000	$4,875
6	$67,000	$5,583

AND

• Age 40 to 64 for pap test, pelvic exam and clinical breast exam; OR
• Age 50 to 64 for a mammogram and pap test, pelvic exam and clinical breast exam.