• The Asian H5N1-Highly pathogenic avian flu virus (HPAI) has yet not been found in the United States (as of April 25, 2006.)
• Pathogenic Avian Influenza is primarily a disease of domestic poultry, not all birds.
• Bird flu is spread from one bird to another by being around other birds with the bird flu (i.e., contact with bird droppings.)
• In the human cases that have been publicized there have always be severe exposure to live poultry with the bird flu because the live birds roam free in the home, yard, etc.
• There have been no recorded cases of transmission of avian influenza from companion and aviary birds to humans.
• Influenza viruses do not persist in the environment outside of a host for long. At 70° F, in dry condition the avian influenza will die within minutes.
• It is safe to eat a bird that died of bird flu if the meat is cooked. If poultry is cooked to 160°F all the virus will be inactivated.
• In spite of hysterical speculation, Avian Flu viruses rarely, if ever, jump straight to becoming easily transmissible human Flu viruses. (National Geographic Magazine-October 2005-"Killer Flu")

Return to SCVCEBC Home Page