7 bird flu questions, answered

It’s flu season – and not just for humans. Bird flu, or avian influenza, refers to many viruses that typically infect birds, similar to human flu viruses.

The current bird flu outbreak is called H5N1. It spreads easily in birds, often causing them severe disease and a high risk of death. The virus can impact other animals and humans; however, the severity of infections is not the same. At this moment, the risk to the public from H5N1 remains low.

Here's what to know about the current strain of bird flu, as well as simple tips you can use to keep you and your family healthy.

Can bird flu spread from birds to other animals?

Yes. Bird flu can spread from birds to other species, including cows and cats. This is sometimes caused by the bird flu virus mutating or by an animal being exposed to high concentrations of the virus.

For example, H5N1 has spread to cows in at least 17 states and over 900 herds. Bird flu usually isn’t fatal in cows. However, the virus can replicate in a cow’s udders, so there can be high concentrations of the virus in raw, or unpasteurized, milk.

The concern is that ongoing mutations or genetic rearrangements in greater populations of animals could lead the bird flu virus to become more pathogenic or develop the ability for human-to-human transmission. Currently, that risk to the public is low, but it is being actively monitored.

Can bird flu spread between humans?

So far, there haven’t been any cases of human-to-human bird flu transmission.

How do humans get bird flu?

It’s been almost a year since the first human case of the current H5N1 outbreak was reported in spring 2024. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 70 cases of H5N1 in humans in the United States. Almost all of these cases had a known exposure to infected animals in dairy cattle herds, poultry farms, culling operations or other wild bird populations.

However, anyone can get bird flu, not just those who work with birds and cattle.

Here are some ways bird flu can spread to humans.

Contact with sick or dead birds 

This includes contact with both domestic and wild birds.

Contact with bird’s bodily fluid

This can be either through direct contact, such as touching a sick bird, or indirect contact, such as touching a surface contaminated with a bird’s bodily fluid. The CDC writes that infected birds shed the virus in their feces, saliva and mucous.

Consuming undercooked poultry, beef or eggs

Right now, there haven’t been any proven cases of H5N1 spreading to humans who have eaten undercooked meat or eggs. However, the CDC writes that “cooking poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.”

Consuming unpasteurized milk products

In dairy cows, bird flu virus replication occurs in the udders which can lead to virus in their milk. Pasteurization neutralizes H5N1, according to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture. This means that the pasteurization process kills any bird flu that could be present in milk. It is best to avoid eating or drinking products made with unpasteurized, or raw, milk.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Many of bird flu’s early symptoms look the same as other flu-like illnesses. Bird flu symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fevers
• Muscle aches

A more unique bird flu symptom that occurs in many patients is eye redness and irritation.

Most people who’ve had H5N1 had mild symptoms like the ones listed above. However, bird flu can be severe in humans, causing symptoms such as pneumonia. As of March 2025, at least one patient has died from bird flu.

How is bird flu diagnosed?

Labs can test for H5N1 bird flu in people with symptoms and risk factors. However, these tests aren’t yet widely available. While there are tests that can detect other types of influenza in humans, these tests don’t detect H5N1, though available tests may detect influenza but not the subtype.

How is bird flu treated?

Patients with confirmed or suspected bird flu cases can be treated with a drug called oseltamivir, or Tamiflu.

How can we decrease our risk for bird flu?

Right now, H5N1 isn’t being spread between people; instead, it is spread by coming into contact with animals that carry the virus.

Use these simple tips to limit your exposure to bird flu.

Don’t touch sick or dead birds

If you see a sick or hurt bird, either wild or domestic, don’t touch it or pick it up.

Avoid birds’ bodily fluids

Don’t touch surfaces that may be contaminated with a bird’s bodily fluid.

Wear protective gear if you work with cows, poultry or birds

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment if you are exposed to dairy cow herds, poultry farms or other wild birds.

Keep an eye on your backyard flock

Hobby farmers or those with backyard chickens should make sure their flock is healthy and take appropriate precautions against bird flu.

Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products

To avoid bird flu, choose pasteurized milk and dairy products like cheese and yogurt made with pasteurized milk.

Cook your meat and eggs thoroughly

Bird flu might have you wondering whether it’s safe to eat chicken and eggs. The short answer is yes, so long as they are cooked thoroughly. Here’s what the CDC recommends:

• Chicken: Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
• Eggs: Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
• Ground beef: Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F
• Whole cuts of beef: Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F. Rest three minutes before eating.

Get your flu vaccine

While the 2024-2025 flu vaccine doesn’t protect against H5N1, it protects against other types of the flu.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-833-341-2828.