Yes, it is possible for people to get sick with bird flu, but the risk to the general public is currently low. However, the spread of bird flu viruses in various types of animals creates opportunities for people to be exposed to these viruses through contact with infected animals.

In other states, a small number of mild human infections have recently been reported after exposure to infected animals. In Utah, no dairy cattle or people with bird flu infections have been reported. More information is available regarding bird flu in Utah poultry, dairy cattle, and wildlife.

The more you are exposed to the virus, the more likely you are to become infected. Certain groups of people, such as backyard flock owners, livestock farmers and workers, agricultural employees, hunters, and wildlife rehabilitators who frequently work with sick or potentially sick animals may be more at risk.

Testing and treatment are available for bird flu. If you have been exposed to bird flu, you should monitor your health for symptoms of a bird flu infection (see box below).

Influenza viruses frequently mutate. The current strain of concern is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1). While the risk to humans from the current strain is low, and there have been no reports of person-to-person transmission, DHHS and CDC are monitoring the virus for changes that may make it more contagious or make the disease more severe in people. Previous outbreaks of bird flu in animals have led to severe disease and death in humans.

Sick animals can spread the bird flu virus through their saliva, mucus, and feces. The virus can spread in the air through droplets or dust. A human can be exposed to the bird flu virus any time they handle sick or dead animals that have bird flu, and whenever they are in a contaminated area.

If you happen upon sick or dead animals, avoid touching them. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has guidelines of when to report a sick or dead animal or group of animals found in the wild.

If you must handle sick or dead animals, use appropriate protective equipment, which may include a mask (N95 or better), clothing and shoe covers, gloves, and goggles.

Bird flu virus has been found in raw milk from infected cows. To keep yourself safe, don’t drink raw milk or eat raw dairy products.

Regardless of whether you use protective equipment, if you handle birds or animals that have been confirmed to have avian influenza, or if you have been in contaminated areas, you should monitor your health for symptoms of bird flu and contact your local health department or healthcare provider if you feel sick.

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Red, itchy eyes (conjunctivitis, or “pink eye”)
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Other signs and symptoms: sneezing, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, eye discharge, rash, seizures, unexpected fatigue

Continue to check for new symptoms for 10 days after you last had contact with potentially infected birds.

If you were exposed to an animal infected with bird flu and start to feel sick, contact your local health department or healthcare provider and let them know about your exposure and symptoms. Testing and treatment are available for bird flu infections in humans. Antivirals used to treat seasonal flu can also treat bird flu. Vaccines will not protect you from bird flu, but they can prevent you from getting both avian (bird) and human influenza at the same time. Avoid close contact with other people until you recover.

If you interact with animals at state or county fairs, always remember to wash your hands after you have touched animals or their enclosures. To keep your food and drink free from germs, do not eat or drink around animals. Even if animals look clean and healthy, they can still carry germs. Learn more about how to stay healthy around animals.

If you exhibit animals at fairs, learn how to keep yourself and your animals safe from illness.

If you organize fairs, learn about actions you can take to prevent the spread of influenza viruses between animals and people at fairs.

• Call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.utah211.org/
• Utah Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Coalition

• Do not handle or harvest game that appear sick or were found dead. 
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves to handle game, and avoid direct contact with the intestines.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after you handle and clean game. If not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Thoroughly clean all knives, equipment, and surfaces that come in contact with birds. Disinfect using a 10% chlorine bleach solution.
• Field dress game in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. 
  • The feathers and offal should be thrown in a trash can where children and other animals cannot access.
• Game should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165° F to kill any pathogens.
  • In the kitchen, keep raw game separate from other cooked or ready-to-eat foods.