How are humans infected ?
Humans can be infected but this occurs rarely. Humans are usually infected through close contact with live infected birds. Birds shed influenza virus in their droppings so contact with droppings (for example by visiting enclosures or markets where birds have been recently kept) is also a possible transmission route. The illness in humans • The time from exposure to the source of infection to onset of influenza is likely to be between 3 and 5 days, with a maximum of 7 days. • The severity of illness appears to vary. Underlying factors are not well understood. • Early symptoms are likely to be similar to normal influenza such as fever and cough • If you develop a respiratory illness severe enough to warrant treatment and have visited an infected country, and have had contact with live poultry or pigs or places that house them in these countries in the 7 days prior to onset of illness, you should contact your General Practitioner. • Currently available vaccines will not protect against di
