Common questions and answers relating to Avian Flu:

If I live near people that keep chickens, am I safe?

Living near people that keep chickens does not present a risk.  At the present time, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has not spread to the United States.  

Even if the H5N1 strain were to appear in the U.S., transmission from birds to people would require close contact with birds or their droppings.

Does owning a caged pet bird increase my risk of getting bird flu?

The likelihood of getting a pet bird already infected with avian flu is very low.  Presently, it is illegal in the U.S. to import birds from regions that are infected with bird flu. 

If you own a pet bird and are concerned, keep the bird inside to avoid exposure to wild or migratory birds.

If you are buying a new bird, especially an exotic bird, be sure it has been legally imported.  Information about federal embargoes on bird importation can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/embargo.htm.

What should I do if I find dead birds?

In short, it depends on the type of bird, and the number of birds. 

Blue Jays and Crows.  The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, like other public health agencies, is continuing to monitor bird deaths as part of its West Nile Virus program. From May to October, dead blue jays and crows are accepted for testing to determine if they died from West Nile Virus. 

Large Die-Off of Wild Birds.  If a large die off-of wild birds is noticed (>5 birds), especially if the birds are ducks, geese, or shore birds, please call the Health Department or report to both the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (931-484-9571) and the United States Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services (615-736-5506).

Large Die-Off of Domesticated Birds. If birds in your flock die unexpectedly, please contact your veterinary professional and make a report to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at 615-837-5120.

I have a small flock of chickens in my backyard – what should I do?

Good sanitation and other methods of prevention – including preventing the chickens from being exposed to wild birds – should always be followed.

Information on “Backyard Biosecurity for the Birds” is available from the USDA at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/hpai.html or from your local Agriculture Extension office.

Can bird flu spread to dogs and cats?

There is no evidence that bird flu is a risk to dogs. 

There is recent evidence that the bird flu virus might affect cats if they eat raw poultry.  For more information, click here. There is currently no cause risk for cats in the United States because the virus is not presently here.

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