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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThe greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a handful of cases of limited human-to-human transmission of bird flu. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds or associated material presents the greatest hazard.
The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. Young children seem especially vulnerable to the virus, although some experts note that children are more likely to have contact with sick birds or to play on ground contaminated with droppings. What's more, people of all ages have contracted and died of bird flu. At this point, too few people have been infected to know all the possible risk factors for bird flu.
- Key facts about avian influenza (bird flu) and avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Areas with confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza since 2003. World Health Organization. http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_H5N1inHumanCUMULATIVE_FIMS_20090506.png. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Beigel JH. Influenza. Critical Care Medicine. 2008;36:2660.
- Influenza, Avian. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/160112679-3/888248314/2088/347.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00018-6--s1115_7157. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Avian influenza vaccines. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- What consumers need to know about avian influenza. FDA. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm085550.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- Flu (Influenza): What's the difference between seasonal flu, pandemic flu and avian (bird) flu? National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/understandingFlu/DefinitionsOverview.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- FDA clears rapid test for avian influenza A virus in humans. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm149557.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Treatment and prevention of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Avian influenza (bird flu). World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/print.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- H5N1 influenza virus vaccine questions and answers. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm080753.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
