Website of the UK government

Why H5N1 is a threat

Bird flu is largely a disease of birds. The virus does not easily cross from birds to infect humans.

There is a theoretical risk of flu viruses mixing if people with seasonal flu also become infected with avian flu. This could cause pandemic flu if an influenza virus turns into a new strain that can spread easily between humans, and to which they do not have immunity.

The risk of a person catching bird flu is extremely low. Since December 2003, bird flu has resulted in 335 confirmed cases in humans in 12 countries (leading to 206 deaths), to 12 November 2007.

• The World Health Organization's current phase of alert Opens new window
• Number of human cases to date Opens new window

How bird flu spreads

Bird flu spreads among bird species, and from birds to other animals, through ingestion or inhalation.

All birds are thought to be susceptible to bird flu. Wild fowl often act as carriers of the virus (without showing any symptoms), and domestic poultry are the most vulnerable. The average incubation period of avian influenza is three to five days, but it can be up to 30 days.

The virus can be spread by migrating birds, trade in live birds, and movement of people contaminated with the virus.

Travelling to affected countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) doesn't currently recommend any restrictions on travel to any country experiencing outbreaks of bird flu. However, if you are visiting countries with reported outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in poultry, you should observe the following measures:

• Advice for travellers from the Department of Health Opens new window
• Travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Opens new window
• Find out about countries with current outbreaks Opens new window

Recognising symptoms

The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to ordinary flu symptoms and can appear suddenly. They may include:

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is highly unlikely that you have bird flu unless you have had close contact with live or dead poultry in an affected country.

• More on bird flu symptoms on NHS Choices Opens new window

Preventing a UK outbreak of bird flu

The UK has a robust, tried and tested disease control plan to address an avian flu epidemic in birds. This is set out in the Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases, which is available on the Defra website.

Measures taken are:

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has stated that the quickest and most effective method of eradicating the disease is:

• More about imports and avian flu Opens new window
• Read the Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases Opens new window

Advice for bird keepers

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has information on its website relating to farmed, pet or otherwise kept birds, as well as information on its programme for the surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds.

• Advice and information for bird keepers Opens new window

More useful links

• Department of Health Frequently Asked Questions leaflet Opens new window
• Health Protection Agency Opens new window
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Opens new window
• Read the World Health Organization's factsheet on bird flu Opens new window