Travel and Avian Flu

When people talk about Avian Flu, they are usually talking about a specific Type A influenza virus, H5N1.  Both birds and people are susceptible to various strains of Type A influenza, but not usually to the same strain.  H5N1 is different; it has jumped species from birds to human.  There is some evidence that it can be spread between humans who live in close physical contact, too.  

Influenza viruses mutate rapidly and adapt to new conditions.  The fear with H5N1 is that it will adapt so that it spreads easily among humans, like the common flu viruses we fight every year.  There are several reasons for concern about H5N1.

• It is spreading worldwide.  The virus was first seen in wild birds in Asia.  It has spread from Asia to Africa and, more recently, to Europe.  It is only a matter of time before it appears in the Western Hemisphere.
• It has crossed species.  It has spread from wild birds to domestic fowl to humans.  So far, only humans who work with birds have been infected, and most have been infected by the birds.  Recently, avian flu virus has been found in cats and other animals that are bird predators.  Viral strains rarely cross species, but H5N1 seems to be very adaptable.
• It has been transmitted from human to human.  That is the second step in creating a disaster.  The virus has developed the capacity to transmit itself directly to other people, without using birds as a vector.
• It is a new viral strain, so people do not have any resistance to it.  We have been unable to develop a vaccine yet, and if we did, the virus would continue to mutate, and the vaccine could become useless.
• It is resistant to the antiviral medications we usually use to treat influenza.
• Most of the people who have contracted bird flu have been children and healthy young adults, the very people who are resistant to most influenza.  Influenza usually hits the oldest, youngest and sickest members of society.  Avian flu may be appearing in healthy young people because they are the only ones who are exposed to it (i.e., they are the ones who are working in the poultry industry).
• Over half of the people who have contracted avian flu have died. 

The World Health Organization has not restricted travel to any country that has experienced an avian flu outbreak because it would be useless.  The disease is spread primarily by wild birds, which fly from one country to another without regard to travel restrictions. 

WHO does, however, suggest some ways to keep yourself from getting avian flu while traveling:
• DO NOT touch any wild or domestic birds, dead or alive.
• DO NOT visit any poultry farms, poultry processing facilities, aviaries or other places where birds gather.
• DO cook all poultry and eggs thoroughly.  There is no evidence that uncooked poultry or eggs can spread avian flu, but they can certainly spread salmonella and other diseases.

Even though avian flu is a serious worldwide health threat, it is not a particular concern for travelers.