• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
The 10 most common symptoms of bird flu to look out for as state of emergency declared in USA

Home> News> Health

Published 11:55 19 Dec 2024 GMT

The 10 most common symptoms of bird flu to look out for as state of emergency declared in USA

Severe cases of avian influenza can be fatal

Ellie Kemp

Ellie Kemp

California has declared a state of emergency after 34 people cases of bird flu were detected.

Governor Gavin Newsom took action on Wednesday (December 18) as cases of the avian influenza A (H5N1) subtype snowballed.

According to Cleveland Clinic, bird flu is spread to humans via an infected animal's bodily fluid.

Advert

This could be its spit, milk, poop or even 'respiratory droplets.'

You can 'breathe it in' from small dust particles in animal habitats, or get it into your eyes, nose of mouth after touching bodily fluids.

The H5N1 bird flu virus (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
The H5N1 bird flu virus (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

It can cause some common cold and flu symptoms, but serious cases can quickly become fatal.

Outbreak explained

Bird flu has been detected in some 645 dairy cows in California since late August, but half these cases were only just identified in the last month alone.

Advert

The majority of the 34 humans infected are believed to be farmworkers who worked closely with infected cattle.

It comes as the first person to ever contract 'severe' bird flu in the US was hospitalized in critical condition.

 Infected dairy cows are thought to be responsible for the outbreak (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Infected dairy cows are thought to be responsible for the outbreak (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

It's suspected the person, who is over 65 and has underlying health issues, came into contact with an infected flock of birds in their backyard.

Advert

The CDC said: "While an investigation into the source of the infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.

"This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the US that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock."

There have been a total of 61 bird flu cases throughout the country this year alone, although the CDC did confirm 'no person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected.'

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

A high fever can be a sign of bird flu (Tom Merton/Getty Images)
A high fever can be a sign of bird flu (Tom Merton/Getty Images)

Advert

There are 10 key signs of bird flu to be mindful of, although Cleveland Clinic claims some of the most recent cases in the US have caused pink eye and 'mild respiratory symptoms.'

Main symtoms include:

  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Shortness of breath

These symptoms can be mild or severe.

Advert

In some cases, bird flu can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, brain swelling and respiratory failure.

How to treat bird flu

If detected early enough, bird flu can be treated with antiviral medication.

A sore throat, fever and muscle aches can be treated with over-the-counter medicine as usual.

Advert

You should get plenty of rest and stay hydrated, too.

Featured Image Credit: Jacob Wackerhausen/MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images

Topics: California, Health, US News, Animals

Ellie Kemp
Ellie Kemp

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Man becomes first human in US to die from bird flu as authorities issue symptoms to look out for
  • Running star disqualified and stripped of state title after 'unsportsmanlike' act following win
  • Doctors reveal 6 common signs of colon cancer to look out for in young people
  • Doctor shares six common cancer symptoms everyone under 50 should be aware of

Choose your content:

9 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 9 mins ago

    Trump issues furious response after judge said he 'illegally deployed' National Guard for LA protests

    Trump took to Truth Social to vent his rage

    News
  • an hour ago

    Lawyer responds to Air India's decision to offer immediate compensation as owner reveals how much it will pay victims' families

    The Tata Group, which owns Air India, recently confirmed how much the families of the deceased will be compensated

    News
  • an hour ago

    People extremely concerned after senator gets handcuffed and removed while asking question about Trump's ICE raids

    Homeland Security removed the senator from the news conference

    News
  • an hour ago

    Aviation expert explains one detail which didn't look right on Air India plane as pilot's tragic 'final words' revealed

    The Air India plane never made it to its London Gatwick destination

    News