Can people get bird flu directly from infected birds?
Yes, although it is a rare occurrence, people have become infected with the Asian bird flu and other bird flu viruses directly from birds. Most human infections have occurred after people had extensive exposure to infected chickens, ducks, turkeys or their environment. Generally infections with bird flu have resulted only in a mild eye inflammation (conjunctivitis). However, many people in Asia who were infected with the current Asian bird flu strain developed typical influenza symptoms of fever, cough, muscle aches, and headache, and the illnesses were fatal in a high proportion of reported Asian bird flu cases. Since 2003, there have been more than 100 cases of human infections in Asia due to infection with the Asian bird flu virus. There has been very limited spread of infection from person to person, but a few cases have occurred among healthcare providers and family members.
