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While rare, human infections with avian influenza viruses have occurred. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) consider the risk to the general public from infections to be low.
There have been human cases associated with the dairy cattle and wild bird strains of HPAI. To date, most human cases have been associated with farm workers (poultry and dairy cattle operations) as well as people who have close contact with wild birds. Because avian influenza is now known to contaminate raw milk, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control encourage consumption of pasteurized milk, which is effective for deactivating avian influenza virus and other disease-causing agents.
Field personnel handling live or dead wildlife should take appropriate precautions including wearing protective clothing.
Learn more: Bird Flu Current Situation (Centers for Disease Control)
Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, in Relation to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges and National Park Service Lands, 2021/2022. Updated November 27, 2022.
Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, in Relation to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges and National Park Service Lands, 2021/2022. Updated November 27, 2022.
Andy Reeves, in the USGS Alaska Science Center Molecular Ecology Laboratory, preparing to sequence influenza A viruses collected from wild birds sampled in Alaska.
Andy Reeves, in the USGS Alaska Science Center Molecular Ecology Laboratory, preparing to sequence influenza A viruses collected from wild birds sampled in Alaska.
The Avian Influenza Transmission Risk Model web application depicts the intricate connections between 16 layers of administrative, environmental, and economic data in an application that runs inside a web browser. To view and manipulate the full web application, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
The Avian Influenza Transmission Risk Model web application depicts the intricate connections between 16 layers of administrative, environmental, and economic data in an application that runs inside a web browser. To view and manipulate the full web application, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
For more information on avian influenza, see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
For more information on avian influenza, see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
A biological technician of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center tests chicken eggs inoculated with a field sample from wild birds to detect the presence of avian influenza virus.
A biological technician of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center tests chicken eggs inoculated with a field sample from wild birds to detect the presence of avian influenza virus.
Blue-winged teal in Texas. Inset shows avian influenza virus
Blue-winged teal in Texas. Inset shows avian influenza virus
USGS National Wildlife Health Center laboratory technician preparing avian samples for avian influenza testing.
USGS National Wildlife Health Center laboratory technician preparing avian samples for avian influenza testing.
Scientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Scientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Want to stay on top of wildlife disease developments throughout the world? USGS scientists Josh Dein and Hon Ip, and USGS web content manager Cris Marsh tell us how with some great Web tracking tools.
Want to stay on top of wildlife disease developments throughout the world? USGS scientists Josh Dein and Hon Ip, and USGS web content manager Cris Marsh tell us how with some great Web tracking tools.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.
USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.
USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.
Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, in Relation to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges and National Park Service Lands, 2021/2022. Updated November 27, 2022.
Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, in Relation to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges and National Park Service Lands, 2021/2022. Updated November 27, 2022.
Andy Reeves, in the USGS Alaska Science Center Molecular Ecology Laboratory, preparing to sequence influenza A viruses collected from wild birds sampled in Alaska.
Andy Reeves, in the USGS Alaska Science Center Molecular Ecology Laboratory, preparing to sequence influenza A viruses collected from wild birds sampled in Alaska.
The Avian Influenza Transmission Risk Model web application depicts the intricate connections between 16 layers of administrative, environmental, and economic data in an application that runs inside a web browser. To view and manipulate the full web application, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
The Avian Influenza Transmission Risk Model web application depicts the intricate connections between 16 layers of administrative, environmental, and economic data in an application that runs inside a web browser. To view and manipulate the full web application, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
For more information on avian influenza, see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
For more information on avian influenza, see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ai.
A biological technician of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center tests chicken eggs inoculated with a field sample from wild birds to detect the presence of avian influenza virus.
A biological technician of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center tests chicken eggs inoculated with a field sample from wild birds to detect the presence of avian influenza virus.
Blue-winged teal in Texas. Inset shows avian influenza virus
Blue-winged teal in Texas. Inset shows avian influenza virus
USGS National Wildlife Health Center laboratory technician preparing avian samples for avian influenza testing.
USGS National Wildlife Health Center laboratory technician preparing avian samples for avian influenza testing.
Scientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Scientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Want to stay on top of wildlife disease developments throughout the world? USGS scientists Josh Dein and Hon Ip, and USGS web content manager Cris Marsh tell us how with some great Web tracking tools.
Want to stay on top of wildlife disease developments throughout the world? USGS scientists Josh Dein and Hon Ip, and USGS web content manager Cris Marsh tell us how with some great Web tracking tools.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.
USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.
USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.
