Bird flu
You can get bird flu by coming into close contact with birds that are infected with the bird flu virus.
You can also get it by touching the poo of an infected bird or an infected bird that has died.
Bird flu is found throughout the world, including the UK, but most infections in humans have happened in parts of Asia and North Africa.
Check before you travel
Find out the risk of bird flu in a country you’re travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website
Symptoms of bird flu in humans usually start around 4 to 6 days after being in contact with an infected bird.
Symptoms can be mild or severe and include:
- high temperature
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or blocked nose
- wheezing and sneezing
- shortness of breath
- red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis)
Get help from NHS 111 if:
You have symptoms of bird flu and:
- you've been in close contact with a bird in a country where there is bird flu
- you've been in close contact with someone who has bird flu
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online
Call 999 if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
If a doctor thinks you may have bird flu, they’ll take a sample from your throat or nose and send it to a laboratory for testing.
You’ll need to be in isolation until the results come back.
Antiviral medicines can be used to treat bird flu. If you're very ill, machines can be used to help with your breathing.
People you may have been in close contact with will also be offered testing and treatment.
To help prevent bird flu, wash your hands with soap and water:
- after handling birds
- if you touch any surfaces that could have bird saliva or poo on them
If you're travelling in parts of the world where there's bird flu, you should avoid:
- visiting live animal markets or poultry farms
- touching bird poo, feathers or nests
- handling or eating undercooked or raw egg, duck or poultry-based dishes
