Is bird flu dangerous for humans?
Europe is currently experiencing the largest bird flu outbreak ever. The virus type H5N8 is widely circulated, causing birds to become ill and often eventually die. What is bird flu? Is this virus also dangerous for humans? And what about dogs and cats? Six questions about bird flu.
1. What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a contagious disease that affects poultry, such as chickens or turkeys, and other wild bird species, such as ducks, pigeons and swans. Bird flu can come back every year and is caused by many different flu viruses (virus types).
Since last October we have been dealing with highly pathogenic bird flu with the virus type H5N8. Highly pathogenic bird flu is highly contagious and leads to serious illness or death in (water) birds. Companies are hereby culled to prevent further spread. There is also an obligation to keep a cage in the region. The low pathogenic variant is the most common and is mild or even without symptoms. Far-reaching measures are therefore not necessary with this variant.
2. How do birds get infected with the bird flu virus?
Birds can contract bird flu through direct contact between (wild) birds. Infected birds spread the virus through respiratory tract, eye fluid and manure. Furthermore, birds can become infected by contaminated material such as feed, crates and means of transport, people who have been in contact with the virus through their shoes or clothing or by dust from an infected barn (which is spread through the air). The bird flu virus can enter our country through the import of live infected birds. Migratory birds also spread the virus and therefore pose a risk.
3. How do you recognize a bird with bird flu?
Once a bird is infected with bird flu, it quickly becomes ill. Often within a few hours to three days. You recognize an infected bird first by general lethargy. The animal no longer makes noises. After that, you can recognize a sick bird by symptoms such as:
- breathing problems
- sudden death
- diarrhea
- a reduced egg production
- eye infections
- nervous symptoms
Respiratory disorders and a lower egg production mainly occur in the low pathogenic variant of bird flu. If many birds die, then there is probably a highly pathogenic variant.
4. Is bird flu dangerous for humans?
No, bird flu is usually not dangerous for humans. In addition, the chance that you will become infected with the prevailing bird flu virus H5N8 is very small. If you do get sick from it, you usually only have mild symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches or cough. Do you work a lot with chickens or other birds? Prevent yourself from getting sick: wear protective clothing and a mouth cap. Also clean and disinfect all means of transport.
5. Can dogs and cats get sick too?
Yes, dogs and cats are susceptible to bird flu. That is why it is best to keep your dog on a lead as a precaution in places where there are dead (water) birds. This way you prevent your dog from coming into contact with infected dead birds. According to the RIVM, transmission from dogs to humans has never been established.
6. Can you eat meat from infected poultry or eggs from infected chickens?
You can just eat chicken, turkey or duck. As always, heat the meat well before eating it. Eggs from chickens infected with bird flu are not dangerous for humans and you can therefore continue to eat them.
Sources):