AVIAN INFLUENZA. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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1 PENINSULA HEALTH AVIAN INFLUENZA Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Q. What is avian influenza? Answer: Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. All birds appear to be susceptible, though some species are more resistant to infection than others. It is also called bird flu. Q. Is avian influenza (bird flu) in Australia? Answer: No. There are no current reports of avian influenza (bird flu), either in birds or humans, in Australia. Avian influenza has been in Australia in the past and was successfully eradicated from poultry. The last reported case was in 1997 in Tamworth, NSW. Prior outbreaks occurred in commercial poultry farms in Victoria (1976, 1985 and 1992) and Queensland (1994). Q. What is influenza A H5N1? Answer: This is the particular subtype of influenza virus that is causing the current epidemic of bird flu in overseas countries. The letters and numbers allow scientists to differentiate between different subtypes of influenza. Q. What is Australia doing to prevent avian influenza from entering the country? Answer: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has increased surveillance at airports, seaports and mailing facilities. Quarantine and border staff has been alerted to look out for live birds and bird related products entering Australia from countries where there has been an outbreak of avian influenza. As well, they have been issued with instructions on any particular precautions necessary to protect themselves in their work. Q. Do we import live or raw chickens into Australia? Answer: No. Australia does not import live chickens or any raw chicken products. 2

2 Q. Do we import eggs for consumption into Australia? Answer: Australia does permit the importation of cooked, retorted eggs as well as a number of other products containing egg. Only eggs and egg products that do not pose a risk of introducing exotic diseases, including avian influenza, are permitted entry into Australia. Q. Do we import cooked chickens into Australia? Answer: A minimal amount of cooked product is imported. Any imported chicken product must be cooked to temperatures that kill the virus before it is imported into Australia. It is not possible for someone to catch avian influenza from appropriately cooked food. Q. I have domestic birds. How would I know if my domestic birds have avian influenza? Answer: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry web-site ( provides information on the symptoms of avian influenza in birds. Q. I work in an industry where I may be exposed to live chickens or poultry products. Do I need to take any special precautions? Answer: Avian influenza has not been reported in Australia in bird flocks at this time, so people working in these industries do not need to take any additional precautions at present. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry web-site ( provides information on what to do in the event you suspect an outbreak of avian influenza. 3 Avian influenza in humans Q. Can avian influenza affect people? Answer: Yes there are a few cases of this disease affecting people overseas. These people had very close contact with sick birds. Q. What are the symptoms of avian influenza in people? Answer: The symptoms are similar to that of other forms of influenza, including fever, sore throat, cough, headache and muscle aches & pains. Q. What should I do if I have any of these symptoms? Answer: Many people get respiratory infections every day and the probability that your symptoms are from avian influenza is extremely low. If you have just returned from Asia and you are experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above, you should seek medical advice advising them of your recent travel and activities, including any visits to farms or markets in Asia. Remember your symptoms are highly unlikely to be caused by avian influenza. Q. How is avian influenza different from normal influenza? Answer: The main difference is in the source of transmission of the virus that is, from infected birds to humans. There is very little difference in the symptoms (though these may vary in severity) or treatment of the virus. Q. Can avian influenza be treated with antibiotics or other drugs? Answer: There are medications that are effective against the avian influenza virus in people. Sometimes people with influenza develop secondary bacterial infections and these can be treated with antibiotics. 4

3 Q. Are children at a greater risk of getting avian influenza? Answer: Probably yes. The current cases of avian influenza in humans are predominantly in children. This may be because children are more likely to have close contact with chickens and chicken faeces. Q. If I was exposed to avian influenza in birds, how long would it take for me to become sick? Answer: The exact incubation period for avian influenza in humans is not known because there have been so few cases, but is probably between 3-7 days. Q. Can avian influenza kill? Answer: Unfortunately yes. While millions of birds have died from the disease only a few people have acquired the illness. Some of these people have died. Q. Is there a vaccine for avian influenza in humans? Answer: No, a vaccine is not yet available for avian influenza. Researchers are working to develop one; however, it is difficult to say when a vaccine may be available. Q. Will the current influenza vaccine protect me against avian influenza? Answer: No, The current vaccine for human influenza does not prevent avian influenza infection in people. However, in countries overseas, people exposed to bird flu will be immunised to protect them from human strains of influenza, to help prevent the emergence of a mixed human/avian influenza virus. Q. Is there treatment for avian influenza in humans? Answer: The current anti-viral treatments, which are used successfully in the treatment of influenza, would be used in the treatment of avian influenza. 5 Q. Are there any restrictions on students from affected areas who live and study in Australia? Answer: No. Students should be aware that bird and poultry products are not permitted in Australia. It is very unlikely that a student will have acquired bird flu. If a student becomes unwell after arrival he/she should isolate themselves, seek medical assessment and inform their doctor of recent travel. Prevention and control Q. What measures are being/will be implemented to screen travellers, students and business people arriving from overseas areas of concern for Avian Flu? There have been media reports of screening occurring at airports. Answer: Bird and poultry products including eggs, egg products, chicken and duck meat, and objects contaminated with faeces from infected animals can carry diseases such as avian influenza. These products are not permitted into Australia. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is searching for chicken products and objects that may harbour the virus in luggage of travellers from high-risk countries. Quarantine officers at seaports are also on permanent alert for poultry products and all international mail is being screened. Q. Could a traveller, a student or business person become infected with the virus and bring it into Australia? Answer. This is very unlikely. At this time the virus has not been shown to spread easily or rapidly among humans. There have been very few human cases. Travellers who become sick or feel unwell with respiratory or flu-like symptoms on their return should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their doctor, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Australia, and where they have been. 6

4 Q. I am travelling to Asia. What should I do to protect myself from avian influenza? Answer: Although the risk of infection to travellers to areas affected by avian influenza is currently considered low, Australians travelling to areas affected by avian influenza can reduce their risk of infection by avoiding situations where they may have contact with farms and live bird markets, and ensuring all uncooked poultry and eggs are handled hygienically with careful attention to hand washing after handling. Proper cooking destroys the virus in poultry and eggs. Australians, who reside in an avian-influenza affected area for extended periods, particularly in Vietnam, should consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. This is because long-term residents are at greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time and, in the event of a more widespread outbreak amongst humans, there may be difficulties encountered in accessing appropriate medicines. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Australians intending to travel to avian influenza affected areas for short periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks. If you are intending to travel to avian influenza affected areas for short periods you are at much lower risk of infection but you should discuss the risk of avian influenza as part of your routine pre-travel health checks. While travelling, it is suggested that you regularly check the Department of Foreign and Trade Travel Bulletin and Travel Advisory for information about any changes to the current situation and whether additional precautions are recommended. The web-site is Q. How is avian influenza spread to humans? Answer: People need to have close contact with infected birds or poultry manure to get avian influenza. The 7 virus is found in bird faeces and respiratory secretions. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus at this time. Q. Is it safe to eat cooked chicken meat? Answer: Yes. Chicken meat should be cooked properly. If the virus was present in chicken meat it would be killed in the cooking process. All uncooked chicken meat, including frozen meat should always be handled hygienically. Wash hands and surfaces after contact with raw meat and separate raw meat from other raw foods. Q. Is it safe to eat eggs? Answer: Yes. Egg shells may have been contaminated with bird faeces. All eggs should be washed before sale but it is prudent to apply careful hygiene when handling an egg such as: washing the outside of eggs or washing hands after handling an egg. Eggs should not be separated into yolk and white by bare hands. Proper cooking of eggs is recommended. Particular care needs to be taken with foods that contain eggs that are not cooked such as mayonnaise and mousse. Q. How can the virus be killed? Answer: Heat over 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes will kill the virus. At 80 degrees the virus is killed in 1 minute. Good hygiene by hand washing and cleaning of surfaces will remove the virus. Q. Can I get avian influenza through air-conditioning in hotels or other places? Answer: There is no evidence that avian influenza spreads through air-conditioning systems. 8

5 Global Measures Q. What response is occurring around the world to the outbreak of avian influenza in South East Asia? Answer: The World Health Organization is closely monitoring events in the countries (and surrounding neighbours), which have reported an outbreak of avian influenza in either humans or birds. Regular updates are posted on their website ( WHO is also overseeing work related to the development of a diagnostic test and vaccine for avian influenza. Countries that have reported an avian influenza outbreak are culling affected flocks. Q. What is Australia's response to the outbreak of avian influenza in South East Asia? Answer: The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, in conjunction with other key government agencies, is monitoring the situation in South East Asia very carefully. In the event that avian influenza spreads from person to person, the Australian Government will implement the Australian Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza. The Plan provides direction for the development of actions by all Australian Governments, their agencies and emergency services. Q. Is avian influenza everywhere in the world? Answer: There have been outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry reported in many parts of the world, including outbreaks in Asia, in Europe (the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) and the USA. Not all outbreaks are as severe as the current outbreak in Asia. WHO is working to support national disease authorities in their investigations in countries with the current outbreak. 9 Avian influenza in birds was first identified in The first documented infection of humans with an avian influenza virus occurred in Hong Kong in Further Information Links Q. How can I find out more information? Answer: The majority of information is available on websites throughout the world. If you do not have access to the internet, visit your local library or an internet café. Sites such as the World Health Organization ( the World Animal Health Organisation ( and the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) ( have links to many other sites around the world that provide information about avian influenza. Reference 10

A. No. There are no current reports of avian influenza (bird flu) in birds in the U.S.

A. No. There are no current reports of avian influenza (bird flu) in birds in the U.S. Bird Flu FAQ 2 Frequently Asked Avian Influenza Questions Avian influenza in birds Q. What is avian influenza? A. Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza