Although Type A influenza viruses infect birds, these viruses are different from the influenza viruses that infect humans. Avian influenza viruses known as bird flu will kill domesticated birds that are infected. Of these viruses, those that are especially pathogenic are known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. When chicken, turkey, quails and other domesticated birds are infected, they show general physical symptoms, neurological symptoms (unable to move the head, loss of energy), respiratory symptoms, and digestive symptoms (diarrhea, decreased appetite, etc.). Avian influenza is known to kill an enormous number of birds.

Avian influenza has occurred in different regions of the globe, namely Hong Kong (Type H5N1: 1997, 2003), the United States (Tupe H5N2: 1977, 2003), the Netherlands (Type H7N7: 2003), Germany (Type H7N7: 2003), Korea (type H5N1: 2003), Vietnam (Type H5N1: 2004). Avian influenza has not occurred in Japan since 1925.

In 1997, there were 18 people who were infected with the H5 avian influenza in Hong Kong, of which there were six mortalities, but there have been no known cases of infections being spread from one human to another. In February 2003, two cases of HF5 avian influenza were reported in Hong Kong, which resulted in one mortality. But the infection has not spread since that time. In March to April 2003, when the H7 avian influenza was reported in the Netherlands, dozens of people mainly involved in epidemic control were reported as having eye infection (conjunctivitis) and a dozen people were reported with influenza like symptoms. The H7N7 avian influenza virus was discovered in the lung of one veterinarian who died and family members appear to have also been infected.

Although rare, there does appear to be human-to-human transmission of the disease (about a dozen cases), but the only known suspected case was reported in the Netherlands. However, in many cases, avian influenza is transmitted to humans who are in close contact with infected birds or have been in contact with their internal organs or waste matter, and there have been no reports of the spread of the disease through poultry meat or eggs.

The major symptom of the H7 avian influenza reported in the Netherlands was eye infection (conjunctivitis). Some of the infected people showed signs of respiratory symptoms. In the case of the H5 avian influenza seen in Hong Kong, the symptoms were diverse and ranged from fever, coughing, and other human influenza like symptoms to serious multiple organ failure. The main cause of death is pneumonia.

Presently, there is no effective vaccine for avian influenza (research and development are ongoing). In order to avoid infection and to prevent the spread of the disease to chickens in other areas, avoid needlessly entering poultry houses where avian influenza has been confirmed. If there is a need to enter such poultry houses, wear gloves, face mask, gown, goggles, wash your hands, and take other basic infection prevention measures.
Presently, there is no need to take special preventive measures against avian influenza in your daily lives at this stage.

Scientifically, it is known that the avian influenza is transmitted to poultry, ducks, and other bird species, but there is no immediate danger to birds that are kept as pets by families in Japan.
Irrespective of whether the flu is transmitted to humans from birds and other animals, they do have virus strains that are both different and the same as human virus strains. It is important that families wash their hands after coming in contact with pets, to dispose of waste matter quickly and to keep the area around their pets clean. Pets that show any health abnormalities should be taken to the veterinarian and their owners should quickly be seen by a physician if they feel unwell.

Human influenza vaccines that are effective against the human type A Soviet Union (H1N1) flu, type A Hong Kong (H3N2) flu, and the type B flu are effective against the avian influenza types H5 and H7.

Although avian influenza differs from human influenzas such as the Soviet (H1N1) and Hong Kong (H3N2) influenzas, they can be largely classified in the same category as the type A influenza virus strains. It's possible to quickly detect avian influenza virus using the detection kit for human type A influenza virus, but identifying influenza type requires a separated antigen analysis, gene testing and other detailed lab work. The anti-flu viral drug that is used to treat type A influenzas is also said to be effective against avian influenza.

There are no reported cases of people getting infected by eating poultry meat or eggs.

Highly pathogenic avian influenzas in Japan are defined and regulated by the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Law. If this type of avian influenza occurs, the proper authorities are immediately notified, the poultry is quarantined, destroyed, and their carcasses are incinerated or buried, and the area is thoroughly disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease to other birds. Thus, the eggs and meat of infected poultry are prevented from being introduced into the food market. As explained in the answer to Question 10, there is no fear of flu transmission from poultry meat or eggs. Influenza viruses are destroyed when they are exposed to a cooking temperature of 75°C for one minute.

In this case, there was an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among chickens and there was no evidence of its spread to humans. Presently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has stipulated the following livestock epidemic prevention measures to be taken.

Destroy and disinfect all poultry feed.

Restrict the movement of livestock animals to within a 30km radius of neighboring farms and implement epidemiological tests.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MLHW) has stipulated the following preventive countermeasures against the spread of the disease among humans or if there is an outbreak in the human community.

Although the development of avian influenza among humans due to eating poultry meat or eggs has not been reported thus far, the MHLW has instructed the poultry farms to voluntarily recall all poultry eggs shipped, to confirm the health conditions of relevant personnel, and to take stringent infectious disease protection measures.

In the event an outbreak occurs in the human population, medical and health facilities are required to cooperate in providing information about patients suspected of having contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza and to provide other relevant information quickly.

Poultry farm workers, veterinarians, and other relevant personnel are informed about the dangers of becoming infected by handling body fluids and wastes of suspected poultry when destroying and disposing carcasses. They are required to wear gowns, gloves, goggles, a medical face mask, and other protective gear to prevent the direct handling or inhaling of poultry body fluids. After completing the work, they are required to wash their hands with soap and running water. Protective countermeasures against infectious diseases in hospitals include wearing facial masks, gloves, goggles, and conducting trial practice procedures such as the proper way to wash hands to ensure that they are carried out properly.

Farm workers and their family members who are engaged in this task are required to watch their health condition and to seek immediate treatment at a medical facility if they develop flu like symptoms such as a fever or other physical abnormalities.

If transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans is confirmed in Japan, the infected person will require immediate treatment of the flu with an anti-flu viral drug. In addition, measures should be considered to provide family members and people around the infected person with a preventive drug against highly pathogenic flu viruses.

It is not necessary to postpone or cancel travel plans to countries where the avian influenza has occurred at this point in time. The same is also true for domestic travel. It is not necessary to postpone or cancel domestic travel plans or movement from one region to another in Japan. However, it is best not to carelessly or imprudently visit or have contact with facilities where avian influenza has been found.