Summary: Preventing Infection With Avian Influenza

Presently, the best method to prevent infection with avian influenza A viruses is to avoid the exposure sources as much as possible. Most of the human infections with avian influenza A viruses have occurred after prolonged or direct close contact with sick or dead infected birds. Infected poultry shed avian flu virus in their mucous, saliva and feces. Human infections with avian influenza viruses occur when enough virus is inhaled or gets into a person's mouth, nose or eyes.It happens when the virus is in the air (in droplets or dust), and a person inhales it, or if an individual touches a surface that has the virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. Furthermore, rare human infections with some avian viruses have occurred most often