How is influenza spread from birds to humans?
Avian influenza has existed from time immemorial, but the first carefully documented case of “fowl plague” was recorded in Italy in 1878. While economically devastating, these outbreaks had few health consequences. In fact, H5N1 is the first documented case of flu transmitted directly from birds to humans. (Usually strains spreading among humans mutate, or they mix with strains in pigs or chickens.) To date, about 65 people are known to have died from H5N1 influenza. Most cases have been in poultry workers and their family members. While direct contact with infected birds is the main source of disease, it is believed the virus can also be contracted from swimming in infected rivers, spending time in an area where carcasses are buried, or breathing the air near a poultry-processing plant. Because infected poultry die quickly from the disease, there is little likelihood of the meat of infected birds making it to market; but even if it did, there would be little chance of contracting H5N1
