With bird flu (avian influenza) hitting the headlines in recent months, you may have questions about how this flu may affect you. It's rare for humans to get infected with bird flu. And while there are outbreaks of bird flu at some Australian egg farms, you can safely eat chicken and eggs that have been correctly cooked.

We unpack what bird flu is and how it can be prevented.

What causes bird flu?

Bird flu is caused by various strains of influenza A viruses, which are different to the ones that cause human flu. Not all strains affect animals, and only certain strains can infect humans, which is very rare.

How is bird flu spread?

Bird flu spreads mainly among wild water birds, but it can also infect chickens and other birds and animals. It's rare for humans to get infected with bird flu, and it doesn't easily pass from human to human.

But if you did get bird flu, you'd get it by:

• having contact with infected animals or their environments
• breathing in dust from dried bird faeces
• rubbing contaminated dust in your eyes
• preparing infected poultry (such as, slaughtering, defeathering and butchering)

You can't get bird flu by eating well-cooked or pasteurised products from infected birds and animals.

There has only been one case of bird flu in humans in Australia, which was in early 2024. The person, who has thankfully recovered, picked it up overseas and is not linked to the current Australian outbreaks in chickens.

Is there a bird flu vaccine?

While there's no bird flu vaccine, the seasonal influenza vaccine can help protect you from getting sick with different strains of influenza at the same time. It can also help prevent viruses mixing. Virus mixing occurs when a person is infected with more than one virus, and it can lead to new strains that spread rapidly.

The Australian Government recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months has a flu vaccination every year.

Why is bird flu so dangerous?

In humans, bird flu can make you quite sick and globally has a high death rate.

These are the symptoms you may experience:

• fever over 38°C, chills or shakes
• respiratory issues, such as sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing
• extreme tiredness or collapse due to exhaustion
• headache, neck stiffness, muscle or joint aches
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• red, sore eyes (conjunctivitis)

If you think you have bird flu or have come into contact with someone with bird flu, speak with your doctor.

You should stay away from others if you can, until your doctor gives you advice on what to do.

Can bird flu be prevented?

If you work in the poultry industry, you should follow the infection control rules your workplace has in place. You can protect yourself by:

• wearing personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, goggles and face mask
• washing your hands before and after working with animals and being in areas where animals are kept
• having the influenza vaccine
• staying home if you're unwell
• thoroughly cooking poultry products
• properly washing kitchen and cooking utensils

For more support

• Learn about egg safety, including how to cook them.
• Find out about the response plan the Australian, state and territory governments as well as poultry and egg industries, have put in place to get rid of bird flu.
• If you need more health advice, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.