Avian influenza information for contacts

This information is for people who may have been exposed to avian influenza from birds or their contaminated environments. Read the information, take appropriate precautions and monitor your health. If you may have been exposed to avian influenza and remain well, you can continue to undertake your usual activities.

About avian influenza

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is an infectious viral disease of birds. It is caused by types of influenza A viruses. These viruses are similar to those that cause human influenza.

Avian influenza mainly spreads among wild water birds. It can affect birds in different ways, ranging from mild sickness to death. Migration of wild birds can bring avian influenza into Australia.

Avian influenza in humans is very rare. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. If infected, antiviral medications can prevent severe illness.

How avian influenza is spread

Infected birds shed large quantities of virus in their faeces (poo) and secretions, which can contaminate their surrounding environment. The main way that humans might become infected is through direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces. Contaminated dust may also be breathed in or rubbed into the eyes. Exposure can occur during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking.

Avian influenza cannot be transmitted to humans by eating properly handled and cooked poultry meat, eggs or egg products.

The spread of avian influenza viruses from one person to another through prolonged, unprotected, close contact has been reported very rarely.

Symptoms and self-monitoring

If you have been in contact with infected poultry, their waste or secretions (for example poo or respiratory/saliva droplets), or their contaminated environments, you should carefully monitor your health for 10 days after last contact.

Monitoring your health involves watching out for any new symptoms, particularly:

• fever over 38° C, chills or shakes
• red, sore eyes (conjunctivitis)
• respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing)
• extreme tiredness
• headache, neck stiffness, and muscle or joint aches
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

If symptoms appear:

• In a medical emergency, always seek immediate health care or call Triple Zero (000). Tell them you may have been exposed to avian influenza.
• Contact ACT Health on 02 5124 9213 as soon as possible to let us know that you have developed symptoms. We will help you arrange appropriate review and testing.
• If you are contacting a general practitioner (GP), tell the clinic that you may have been exposed to avian influenza. If you need to attend in person, wear a mask to your appointment if you can.
• Isolate from others as much as possible until advised otherwise by ACT Health.
• Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene. This includes:
  • covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • washing your hands often (or use hand sanitiser)
  • disposing of used tissues properly
  • wearing a mask if you cannot isolate from other people.

Prevention

If you work with poultry, your workplace will have infection control procedures that you must follow. You can also protect yourself by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including:

• disposable gloves (not vinyl)
• fluid-resistant overalls or fluid-resistant disposable coveralls
• disposable shoes or shoe covers, or gumboots that can be cleaned and allocated for use while working with poultry or environments with poultry
• respiratory protection (P2/N95 respirator mask)
• eye protection (goggles or face shield).

Seek expert advice on the correct use and safe disposal of PPE, and general infection control.
Make sure PPE is either safely disposed of or cleaned properly after use.

Always use PPE to reduce the risk of infection, even if the chance of becoming infected is low. People working in or visiting a place with infected poultry must take actions to protect themselves and others. If PPE is not worn correctly, for example a piece of PPE is forgotten, or you are concerned that they have been exposed despite using PPE, this should be reported to a supervisor and ACT Health.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling animals or touching surfaces contaminated by poultry faeces or secretions, and after removing or handling PPE.

If you are unwell, particularly with any influenza symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, or headache), don’t enter a poultry house, poultry egg laying or broiler enterprise, processing facility or an avian influenza disease investigation or emergency response area. Report your symptoms to your supervisor, leave the area if you have not already, and contact ACT Health.

Vaccination

There is no specific vaccine for avian influenza. However, the seasonal influenza vaccination can help prevent you from becoming infected with multiple strains of influenza at the same time.

The seasonal influenza vaccine can also provide some protection against virus mixing, which occurs when a person is infected with more than one virus at the same time. In rare instances, virus mixing can produce a new, highly infectious influenza virus which could be a serious threat to the wider community.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for:

• People who are working in the poultry industry during an avian influenza outbreak and any other people who may be exposed to avian influenza.
• People for whom influenza vaccination is recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) irrespective of their exposure risk to avian influenza.

Personal wellbeing

Stressful events can cause feelings of worry and unease, especially where there are levels of uncertainty involved, but there are things you can do to take care of yourself.

As much as possible, try to maintain your usual routine with good diet, exercise, and sleep. This can help to increase your capacity to deal with stress. It also helps to stay connected with family and friends and seek support when you need it.

Find someone to talk to; discuss your experience and feelings. There are a number of support services available to assist you and your family with the emotional or physical reactions you may be experiencing. There is always someone to talk to if you are in crisis or need support:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
• Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or 6205 1065
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467