Avian influenza risk factors

For more information about seasonal human influenza virus that is not associated with animal exposure, see Influenza

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

The majority of cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry, or contaminated environments. Human to human transmission is still rare and inefficient.

• The most important risk factor for human infection with avian influenza is exposure to infected live or dead poultry (whether direct or indirect) or to environments that may be contaminated, such as live bird markets. ^[1][2][3][4]
• Such exposure is highest among individuals that handle, slaughter, defeather infected poultry, or handle carcasses of infected poultry. ^[3]
• Preparing poultry for consumption, especially in household settings, is also an important risk factor.^[4]

• Other less substantiated risk factors include:
  • Consumption of dishes made of raw contaminated poultry^[2]
  • Lack of an indoor water source^[4]
  • Exposure to infected individuals^[2]
• The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been inefficient and not sustained.^[2]

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