Bird flu has been in the news for months now, with reports that it is infecting poultry, other farm animals, and people who work around them.

However, because the cases to date have been mild, it’s been easy to ignore.

Unfortunately, the first severe case of the H5N1 virus was recently confirmed in a patient in Louisiana who has since died while hospitalized.

This has led many of us to wonder…

Is it time to worry about bird flu?

Details of the case

According to federal officials, the Louisiana patient is one of 61 people identified to have been infected in the U.S. so far this year.

But it’s important to note that in an interview with NBC News, Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said he’s heard reports of flu-like illnesses on dairy farms where the virus has been identified in animals.

“It’s certainly not a large amount,” he said, “but there’s probably a lot of [human] cases that are not documented.”

What’s different about this fatal case is not only the severity of the illness but that it was the first instance of a patient being infected by poultry from a backyard flock.

Additionally, the strain of the H5N1 virus that infected the patient is different from the strain that was found in poultry, cattle and infected farmworkers earlier this year.  Instead, the CDC says, this particular strain is much more similar to one that infected wild birds, as well as two people in Washington State and British Columbia.

The risks and how it spreads

Although the rest of the cases in the U.S. have produced only mild symptoms, in other countries, H5N1 bird flu has resulted in death for up to half of patients infected.

This makes it important to understand the risks of contracting the virus. Bird flu is a respiratory disease. Like other types of flu, it primarily affects the nose, mouth, throat and lungs, and spreads through saliva, mucous and feces. Infection may occur by breathing in the virus or if it enters the eyes, nose or mouth.

Per the CDC, people who have close contact with animals that could carry the infection, like workers on poultry and dairy farms, are at the highest level of risk.

However, anyone who has a backyard flock, like the patient in Louisianan can be exposed to bird flu and should take extra precautions when handling the birds. These precautions include:

• Wearing PPE, like goggles, N95 respirator, coveralls, rubber boots and disposable gloves to handle sick or dead birds
• Using PPE when coming in contact with feces, litter, or any surface or water source that could be contaminated
• Avoiding stirring up dust, bird waste, and feathers when cleaning or disinfecting areas where birds are kept

Anyone who hunts fowl is advised to take precautions as well.

Because viral bird flu fragments have turned up in the milk supply, it’s also recommended to avoid drinking raw milk and stick instead to pasteurized milk and milk products.

Symptoms to look for

The patient who became the first U.S. fatality was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions. Even with influenza and COVID-19, we’ve learned the health and age of an infected person can have a significant impact on their outcome.

As with any virus, precautions can help you avoid infection. It’s also important to know the symptoms you could experience ranging from pink eye, fever and fatigue, to congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Medical expe do point out that symptoms can vdepending ony by how you are infected.

For example, pink eye was the most common symptom of the farm workers who were infected earlier in the year, possibly because they were exposed to the virus by rubbing their eyes.

On the other hand, the patient in Louisiana was exposed due to a backyard flock and likely inhaled the virus. At the time he was admitted, he was experiencing severe respiratory problems and was considered to be in critical condition.

Preparation rather than worry

While it’s easy to draw a parallel between what we’re seeing with bird flu right now and what we went through with COVID-19, there’s actually good news.

According to Dr. Ben Bradley, assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine’s pathology department, because we already have tests to identify the virus, “What we’re facing with H5N1 is a very different landscape than COVID-19.”

He does say however that we should be on the lookout for warning signs that the virus might be mutating or becoming more dangerous — especially any cases where bird flu was likely transmitted from person to person.

Also, Dr. Diego Diel, a virologist at Cornell University shared that he thinks the risk remains low, in an interview with The New York Times.

“However, it is important that people remain vigilant and avoid contact with sick animals, sick poultry, sick dairy cattle, and also avoid contact with wild birds,” he added.

In the meantime, it’s always a good idea to follow common sense advice for staying healthy during any flu season.

This includes following a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong and beefing up particular supplements with a long history of supporting immune health, like vitamin C, vitamin D and probiotics that promote microbial balance in your gut to help fight off pathogens.

Hibiscus tea is popular in traditional medicine where it’s the go-to drink to fight congestion, and the underlying causes of congestion — often cold and flu viruses. Its antiviral reputation likely comes from the fact that it contains a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants.

If you think you may be infected with any virus, or exposed to bird flu, see your doctor.

Being a bird lover, I had questions about my bird feeders and whether I should take them down. After reading what several trusted online sources had to say, I’ve opted to keep them up. The experts say the risk of transmission to common songbirds is low. However, poultry owners are advised to take down wild bird feeders or keep them well away from their captive flock.

Sources:

US has first severe bird flu case. When should we start to worry? — USA Today

First Bird Flu Death in U.S. Reported in Louisiana — The New York Times

Backyard Flock Owners: Protect Yourself from Bird Flu — CDC

Should you be concerned about bird flu? — Easy Health Options

Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders? — Cornell Labs All About Birds