{"id":9628,"date":"2024-08-12T14:47:33","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T18:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/?page_id=9628"},"modified":"2025-10-20T15:17:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:17:01","slug":"avian-flu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/influenza-flu-in-virginia\/avian-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Avian Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)<\/h3>\n
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Avian influenza (flu) or bird flu refers to the disease caused by <\/span>infection<\/span> with <\/span>avian influenza type<\/span> A viruses. These viruses spread <\/span>naturally <\/span>among wild water birds worldwide. They can also infect domestic poultry and other birds and animals. <\/span>People rarely get bird flu<\/span>. W<\/span>hen they do, <\/span>it's<\/span> most often <\/span>after<\/span> unprotected contact (not wearing recommended personal protective equipment, PPE) with infected birds or other infected animals<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Current<\/span><\/b> H5 Bird Flu Outbreak in Animals<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since January 2022, an H5 bird flu virus has been detected in U.S. wild birds. This has led to several outbreaks in domestic and backyard poultry flocks. In March 2024, the first outbreaks of H5 bird flu in dairy cattle were reported in the United States. Infections in other animal species have also been reported. Compared to the number of infected animals, a relatively small number of human infections have also occurred. Human infections usually happen after a person has had lengthy close contact with an infected animal. Most people with H5 bird flu infections in the U.S. have had mild illness. Currently, there is no evidence that H5 bird flu is spreading from one person to another.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The current risk of <\/span>H5 <\/span>bird flu <\/span>infection <\/span>is low for the <\/span>public. <\/span><\/span><\/strong>However, people with job-related or recreational exposures to birds, dairy cattle, or other H5 virus-infected animals or contaminated environments are at increased risk and should take precautions to protect against bird flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

To date, H5 bird flu has not been detected in people in Virginia.<\/strong> Visit the CDC\u2019s website for more information on bird flu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Use the Animal Safety Toolkit<\/a> to find resources and communication materials for bird\/avian flu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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