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JasCoFlu is a project of the Jasper County, Missouri Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee.
Bird Illness:
How do chickens or other birds get Avian Flu?
From direct contact with the saliva or droppings of infected birds
From contaminated feed, water, cages, equipment or clothing, like shoe of poultry workers
Wild migratory birds can carry influenza viruses and introduce to domestic poultry

How can humans become infected with the disease?
The greatest risk of infection is through the handling and slaughtering of live infected poultry or through direct contact with infected birds

What happens if an outbreak occurs on a poultry farm?
The only way to control the spread of disease is to cull the birds on infected farms
Many healthy birds risk being culled to prevent the spread of disease. As of mid-2006, it is widely estimated that at least 200 million domestic birds have either died or been culled as a result of H5N1.
Avian flu, also known as "bird flu", is caused by certain flu viruses normally found in wild migratory birds, like ducks and geese, and domestic birds, like chickens. There has been a lot of concern about one type of bird flu virus called H5N1, which has affected birds, and even humans in other countries. This bird flu, which only very rarely affects humans, is not the same as pandemic flu, which could affect millions of people worldwide.

Because there are many types of bird flu viruses in the world, and because one of them could change into a new type of flu virus that easily spreads from person to person, these viruses are being closely watched.

What is Avian Flu?
 

Helpful Links:

If Avian Flu is identified in the U.S., these are things you can do to protect yourself:

    1.    ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly after outdoor activities;

    2.    ALWAYS cover your cough and sneeze;

    3.    AVOID ill people; keep physical contact to a minimum;

    4.    STAY home when ill;  call a doctor;

    5.    AVOID  all contact with wild birds;

   6.  TAKE special precautions when preparing and cooking poultry;

The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the United States are extremely low because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards in place.

    
Bird Flu Smart