Factsheet on Bird flu (Avian Influenza/Influenza of Zoonotic Origin)

What to Do if You’ve Been Around Sick Birds or Animals

Why this matters
Bird flu (avian influenza/influenza of zoonotic origin) can sometimes spread from animals to people. The risk is to the general public is low, but it’s important to know what to do if you’ve had contact with sick or dead birds or animals.

Bird flu (avian influenza / influenza of zoonotic origin) is a virus that mainly infects wild birds and poultry. Sometimes it can infect other animals, such as foxes, seals, cats, or other mammals that come into contact with infected birds.

What you should do

• Do not touch sick or dead birds or animals.
• Keep children and pets away from dead birds or animals.
• Avoid areas with bird droppings or carcasses.
• Wash your hands well after being outdoors, especially before eating.
• Report dead wild birds or animals to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM)

What animals can get it?
Bird flu is most often found in:

• Wild birds (ducks, geese, swans, gulls, birds of prey)
• Domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys)
• Occasionally some mammals (e.g., foxes, seals, mink, cats, and occasionally cattle) when they have had close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

What is the risk to humans?

Human infections are rare, and most people will never be exposed. Infections usually happen in people who:

• Have close, unprotected contact with infected birds or animals
• Work in poultry, farming, wildlife handling, or veterinary settings

Current assessments by WHO and ECDC show that the risk to the general public is low, and there is no sustained person to person spread.

If you had contact
Contact includes: touching a sick or dead bird or animals, handling bird/animal droppings, or close exposure without protection.

• Monitor for symptoms for 10 days: Fever (38°C or higher), cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, eye redness, unusual tiredness, muscle aches or headache.
• If symptoms develop:
  • Stay at home and isolate.
  • Call your GP or Public Health team.
  • Tell them you had contact with sick birds or animals.

Extra Protection

• If you need to handle birds or animals for work (e.g., farming, veterinary care), wear gloves and a mask. 
• A seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for people who work with birds or animals to reduce the chance of co-infection. (There is no general use vaccine available at present, but the WHO maintains candidate vaccines that could be used if needed for pandemic preparedness).
  
  

Where to get help

• Public Health advice: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/influenza/avianinfluenza/ 
• DAFM advice for members of the public: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/important-safety-information-for-the-public-about-avian-influenza-bird-flu/ 
• DAFM advice for flock owners: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/ 
• DAFM advice on how to report if you find dead birds: https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report 

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