{"product_id":"avian-influenza-information-sheet-english-audio-he8149","title":"Avian influenza - information sheet - English audio - HE8149","description":"\u003cp\u003eAvian influenza, sometimes called bird flu, is a viral infection that mainly affects birds, although it can 'spill over' to mammals. There are different types of avian influenza viruses—they do not spread easily from animals to humans, or between humans. Avian influenza generally only spreads to people who have had a lot of close unprotected contact with infected birds or other infected animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere has never been a case of avian influenza in humans reported in Aotearoa New Zealand. In other countries where avian influenza is present, human infection has generally only been found in people who have had a lot of contact with infected birds or other infected animals. Currently, the risk of human infection is low in Aotearoa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow does avian influenza infect people?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvian influenza can be spread from infected birds or other animals to people through close unprotected contact (such as not using personal protective equipment like gloves, a face mask and eye protection when dealing with these animals). Infected birds can spread the virus through their saliva, mucus and droppings. Other infected animals can also spread the virus through other body fluids (including their milk).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople can become infected when they touch something contaminated by the virus and they then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, or when the virus is in the air (in droplets, small particles, or possibly dust) and is breathed in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople with avian influenza do not easily spread the virus to other people. In rare cases when this has happened, it has been due to very close and prolonged contact with a sick person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat are the symptoms of avian influenza?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvian influenza can cause a range of symptoms and vary in severity. People with avian influenza may experience no symptoms or mild illness (similar to seasonal flu). However, avian influenza can also cause severe illness and death. Symptoms of avian influenza include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea high temperature (more than 38°C) or feeling hot and shivery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eaching muscles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eheadache\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea cough or shortness of breath\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ediarrhoea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003estomach pain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003echest pain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebleeding from the nose or gums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003econjunctivitis (eye or eyelid redness and swelling).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePeople at higher risk\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople who have prolonged, unprotected contact with sick or dead birds, other animals with avian influenza, and their environments or body fluids are at highest risk of becoming infected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat should I do if I have symptoms of avian influenza?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you or someone you live with has had recent close contact with sick birds or other animals and has symptoms of avian influenza, please seek medical help. Contact your GP, doctor or hauora\/healthcare provider for advice. You can also call Healthline on \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"tel:0800611116\" title=\"call 0800 611 116\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 611 116\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e anytime 24\/7 for free health advice and information. In an emergency call 111.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour healthcare provider may take a throat, nose and\/or eye swab to test for infection if you have recently been exposed to infected animals or humans and have symptoms of avian influenza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat if I get avian influenza?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you get avian influenza your local public health service will contact you or your whānau to provide you with guidance and support. Antiviral treatment medicine may be offered to you to reduce the amount of virus in your body so you do not get as sick. Some people who get avian influenza become seriously unwell and need hospital care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have avian influenza and are not in hospital you should isolate (stay home and away from others) during the time when you are at risk of spreading the infection to others. This is normally until 7 days after your symptoms first started or if you're still unwell after that time, until your major symptoms are gone and you are feeling better. Your local public health service will discuss this with you and check in on you daily during this time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat if public health tell me I am an exposed person or a contact?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003eexposed person\u003c\/strong\u003e is someone who has had close contact with any animal, animal matter or body fluids, or a contaminated environment that is confirmed or highly suspected to be infected with avian influenza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003econtact\u003c\/strong\u003e is someone who has had face-to-face or physical contact with a person who is confirmed to have avian influenza, their body fluids or their laboratory samples during the time this person was infectious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth exposed people and contacts may be at a higher risk of getting avian influenza. Your local public health service will identify if you are in one of these groups at higher risk, assess your risk of infection and contact you to provide guidance and support. You might need to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete a course of antiviral medicine:\u003c\/strong\u003e You may be offered this depending on the strain of the virus you have come into contact with and your risk of infection. If the strain hasn't infected humans before, or your risk is low, antivirals will not usually be recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid high-risk places and people:\u003c\/strong\u003e For some virus strains or higher-risk situations, you may be asked to stay away from:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efarms, animal shows, or similar locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehealthcare settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003elarge gatherings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epeople at higher risk of severe illness if they were to get the virus, such as immunosuppressed, pregnant, young children and the very old.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are an exposed person or a contact, and develop symptoms:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eisolate (stay at home and away) from others as soon as possible\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003econtact your local public health service immediately for further advice. Contact information is here: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnz.govt.nz\/hospitals-services\/services-support\/national-public-health-service\"\u003eNational Public Health Service\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow can avian influenza be prevented?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid close contact with sick or dead birds or other animals. If you need to touch a sick wild bird, follow the steps outlined here: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnz.govt.nz\/health-topics\/conditions-treatments\/infectious-diseases\/avian-influenza\"\u003eAvian influenza\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are going tramping, camping, hunting, walking dogs near bird colonies, or anywhere where you may be exposed to wild birds or marine mammals, you are recommended to do the following.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"0800 80 99 66\" href=\"Tel:0800809966\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 80 99 66\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you find any sick or dead wild birds, avoid contact with them or their body fluids. Do not allow tamariki (children), dogs or other animals to go near or handle them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWash your hands either with soap and running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser often and thoroughly—especially before and after contact with animals and their environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are travelling overseas:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.safetravel.govt.nz\/\"\u003eSafeTravel\u003c\/a\u003e for up-to-date health advice for each country you are visiting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck you are up to date with any relevant vaccination requirements for the country or countries you are visiting. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss and seek advice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are travelling to areas affected by avian influenza, you should avoid:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efarms and live animal markets, entering areas where animals may be slaughtered, or surfaces that appear contaminated with animal poos (faeces) or other animal body fluids.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eclose contact with wild or domesticated birds.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood safety\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvian influenza is sensitive to heat, meaning that cooked food and pasteurised milk is safe to consume. You cannot get avian influenza by eating fully cooked poultry, eggs, or drinking pasteurised milk. For more information on avian influenza and food safety see the MPI link at the end of this information sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eVaccination\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvian influenza vaccines are not routinely used anywhere in the world. However, the seasonal human influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended for some people who work with animals and are therefore at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against avian influenza, it will protect against seasonal flu and reduce the risk of being infected with both types of influenza at the same time. There is a possibility that if a person became infected with both viruses at the same time, the viruses could change by sharing genetic material (known as reassortment) which could produce a new and highly infectious virus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you work with poultry, livestock or with animals in a vet or zoo, it is recommended you see your GP, doctor, hauora\/healthcare provider or local pharmacy to get a flu vaccine once a year when they are available during 'flu' season. For more information on the flu vaccine visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnz.govt.nz\/health-topics\/immunisations\/vaccines-aotearoa\/flu-vaccine\"\u003eFlu (influenza) vaccine\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFor free general health advice and information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCall Healthline on \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"tel:0800611116\" title=\"call 0800 611 116\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 611 116\u003c\/a\u003e, anytime 24\/7 for free health advice and information about what to do next. You can choose to speak with a Māori clinician if you are calling between 8am and 8pm. Interpreter services and NZ Relay support are also available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor people living or visiting rurally, you can contact a doctor after hours at Ka Ora Telecare 0800 2 KA ORA \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"tel:0800252672\" title=\"call 0800 252 672\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 252 672\u003c\/a\u003e or by visiting \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-external-message\" href=\"https:\/\/kaora.co.nz\/app\/\"\u003eKa Ora Telecare\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e This service is available from 5.00pm to 8.30am on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFree NZ Relay Services are available at \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-external-message\" href=\"https:\/\/nzrelay.co.nz\/index\"\u003eNew Zealand Relay Services\u003c\/a\u003e if you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have a speech \u003c\/span\u003eimpediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDisability helpline\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA dedicated helpline for Disability support is available Monday to Friday, between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm. Call free on \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"tel:0800111213\" title=\"call 0800 11 12 13\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 11 12 13\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"sms:8988\" title=\"text 8988\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003etext 8988\u003c\/a\u003e for help and information or visit \u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Disability Helpline\" href=\"https:\/\/healthpoint.co.nz\/disability-helpline\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDisability Helpline\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnz.govt.nz\/health-topics\/conditions-treatments\/infectious-diseases\/avian-influenza\"\u003eAvian influenza\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mpi.govt.nz\/biosecurity\/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand\/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand\/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza\"\u003eHPAI or high pathogenicity avian influenza | NZ Government\u003c\/a\u003e (includes information on symptoms in birds and food safety).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnd of Avian Influenza Information Sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48878539735268,"sku":"HE8149","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/audio-icon.png?v=1774917636","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/avian-influenza-information-sheet-english-audio-he8149","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}