Other Diseases and Viruses

Avian Flu Update


What is Avian Flu?  Avian influenza (also known as avian flu or bird flu) is a naturally occurring viral infection of birds caused by influenza viruses adapted to spread in avian (bird) species. There are two generally kinds of influenza viruses, low pathogenic and highly pathogenic. Low  pathogenic virus, know as LPAI virus, are found in birds around the world, including the United States.  LPAI viruses only very rarely cause disease in humans.  Highly pathogenetic virus, or HPAI virus,  are more likely to make people sick than LPAIs but this is still a rare event. 

 Can Avian Flu viruses make me sick? Human infection with avian influenza viruses is extremely rare.  Avian influenza viruses have mostly infected people who have had a lot of direct contact with infected birds or cows and Avian influenza viruses rarely spread from person to person. 

How is Avian Flu effecting animals?

Avian influenza is primarily a disease in poultry and wild birds. It can infect chickens, turkeys, domestic waterfowl, and game birds. HPAI can strike suddenly and spread quickly. Infected poultry may become sick and/or die within hours of becoming infected. The virus can be spread by contact with infected birds or contaminated materials. Since the spring of 2024, the US has been experiencing an outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cattle. Some commercial milk products have shown evidence of the presence of the virus, but tests thus far have not revealed any live transmissible virus, and it is believed that the pasteurization process should be extremely effective at neutralizing the virus in milk and milk products. At this time the risk to the general public is considered LOW.

How is Avian Flu spread?  People who have been infected with avian influenza viruses have generally had a great deal of direct contact with infected poultry or with objects or surfaces contaminated with feces from infected poultry.  Examples of direct contact would include touching sick or dead poultry, eating raw or incompletely cooked infected poultry, or touching objects heavily contaminated by infected poultry feces. To protect yourself from avian influenza viruses in general, avoid unnecessary contact with live poultry or wild birds, especially those birds that appear ill. If you work directly with live poultry or wild birds, more information on protection is available from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website at www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib121304.html.

Residing near backyard poultry has not resulted in any human infections with any avian influenza viruses anywhere in the United States.  However, it's a good idea to always use best practices to protect yourself from all flu viruses, including the best practices listed below. 

  1. Always avoid “raw” milk and raw milk products. Consume pasteurized milk and dairy products. The safety of aged unpasteurized cheese is unknown at this time.
  2. Avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals. 
  3. Exercise caution when having contact with domestic birds (e.g. backyard chickens) or wild birds (eg when hunting) even if they do not appear sick. After touching birds or their feces, bedding material etc., avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Wash hands carefully. Personal protective equipment like gloves and respirators can reduce risk further. 
  4. Keep pets away from wildlife. (Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection.) Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife.

 Currently available antivirals used to treat influenza are effective against avian influenza. Seasonal influenza vaccines are not expected to provide protection against avian influenza but are still important. 

Avian Flu FAQ

CDC Info on Avian Flu

MDPH Info on Avian Flu

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Respiratory Virus Update


Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.


The CDC has released guidance providing practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.  CDC recommends that all people use core prevention strategies. These are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Click on the links for full details. 

CDC core prevention strategies pic

Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)

Take steps for cleaner air

When you may have a respiratory virus:

Use precautions to prevent spread

Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness


People with masks





Masks

Physical distancing

Tests




For more detailed information on the new CDC recommendations, visit the CDC website. 


For Massachusetts Department of Health information on respiratory virus prevention and treatment, visit the MDPH website.

What You Need to Know About Pertussis/Whooping Cough

MA has seen a recent uptick in this highly contagious respiratory disease. Read below for info on prevention, and visit the CDC website to learn more. 

HOW IT SPREADS: The bacteria that cause whooping cough spread easily from person to person through the air. People can spread the bacteria from the start of symptoms and for at least 2 weeks after coughing begins. 

SYMPTOMS: Whooping cough appears similar to a common cold early on, and 1-2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, known as coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. The symptoms of Whooping Cough are usually just uncomfortable for most people but can be dangerous for vulnerable groups like babies and the elderly. Even healthy adults can have complications. 

PREVENTION: Whooping Cough may be prevented by vaccination and the CDC recommends a vaccine for everyone. Click here to see when you should get a vaccine or a booster.  All adults should get a vaccine every 10 years, including pregnant women in the early part of the 3rd trimester. Practicing good hygiene and keeping distance if you are ill can help prevent spread. 

TREATMENT: Antibiotics work best BEFORE coughing starts, so those who think they may have been exposed are often given preventive antibiotics. Those with an active diagnosis are usually given antibiotics as well but not if it's been more than three weeks with symptoms, as the illness is usually gone by then. Symptoms can linger much longer due to damage to the airway but are no longer contagious.