Disease Spotlight: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) Virus (Bird Flu)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) refers to the disease caused by infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus does not normally infect people, but rare cases of human infection have occurred with some avian influenza viruses.
To avoid bird flu:
- Stay away from sick or dead birds
- Do not touch or feed wild birds
- Keep pets away from birds
If you should develop flu-like illness within ten days of disposing of a group of dead birds, please call your healthcare provider and let them know that you may have been exposed to bird flu. Your provider will need to make appropriate arrangements to avoid exposing other people.
Learn more about H5N1 bird flu
