Avian influenza (Bird Flu)
Frequently asked questions about Avian Influenza or Bird flu
This page contains a list of frequently asked questions about Avian Influenza, also known as Bird flu.
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The operating hours 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
After Hours - recorded message
Avian influenza
Pandemic Influenza
Avian Influenza - Outbreak in South East Asia - Frequently Asked Questions
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has compiled a list of frequently asked questions. The answers are listed in the categories below and are updated, as new information becomes available.
The Outbreak in Birds
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. Please see the Key Facts page for more detail.
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 have 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.
Q: Do we import eggs for consumption into Australia?
Answer: Australia does permit the importation of cooked, retorted (ie commercially sterilised) 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. All imported and domestic egg products must be pasteurised.
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 website (www.daff.gov.au) 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 website (www.daff.gov.au) provides information on what to do in the event you suspect an outbreak of avian influenza.
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Avian influenza in humans
Q: Can avian influenza infect people?
Answer: It is currently very difficult for the H5N1 virus to be transmitted from birds to humans (it requires very close contact with sick or dead birds) but in those cases where it has been transmitted, it has caused severe illness and the death rate has been high.
Q: Is avian influenza a quarantinable disease?
A: Yes. Highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting humans was also made a quarantinable disease on 23rd March 2004.
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.
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 small number of people have acquired the illness. So far, around half of those have died.
Q: Is there a vaccine for avian influenza in humans?
Answer: Not yet. It is possible that a vaccine using the H5N1 strain of influenza may give partial protection if that strain changes and spreads more easily among humans. Prototypes of an H5N1 vaccine are being developed by several manufacturers around the world, including Australia’s domestic manufacturer, CSL Limited. The government is committed to buying a substantial amount of H5N1 vaccine as soon as it is proven safe and effective (see Section 3.6 of the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza for more detail).
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.
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Travel and prevention
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) has a 100% screening policy (either by detector dogs, x-ray or physical inspection) of all bags from all flights from targeted high-risk avian influenza 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. As at September 2006, there have been 253 cases of this disease recorded throughout the world. 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.
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 travelling to or residing in an affected country should keep up to date by regularly checking the Department of Health and Ageing website at www.health.gov.au and the Department of Foreign Travel Bulletin at www.smarttraveller.gov.au
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 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 one minute. Good hygiene by hand washing and cleaning of surfaces will remove the virus.
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Global response
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, Africa and the USA. Not all outbreaks are as severe as the current outbreaks in Asia. WHO is working to support national disease authorities in their investigations in countries with the current outbreak. For an update on WHO reported cases see the Global update section of the Latest news page.
Avian influenza in birds was first identified in 1901. The first documented infection of humans with an avian influenza virus occurred in Hong Kong in 1997.
Q: What response is occurring around the world to the outbreak of avian influenza in South East Asia?
Answer: The World Health Organization along with other international agencies and the international community is providing technical and financial assistance to countries affected by or at high risk of avian influenza.
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. The Australian Government has committed a total of $610 million since 2003 for a possible influenza pandemic, which includes $414 million on the domestic health response, $152 million to help our regional neighbours and $44 million to strengthen Australia’s frontline defences against avian influenza (bird flu).
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Further Information Links
Q: How can I find out more information?
Answer: A wide range 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.
A list of websites is available on our Avian influenza related links page.