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What Causes Bird Flu?

Causes of bird flu stem from the infected saliva, feathers, blood or droppings of a bird that carries the avian virus H5H1. The deadly strain of influenza is not passed to humans unless the human has been exposed to the droppings, blood or saliva.

  1. Outbreaks

    • Outbreaks occur when chickens, turkeys and ducks become infected with bird flu. The deadly strain easily changes its genetic structure when it infects other animals such as pigs.

    Live Marketplace

    • The selling of fowl and eggs in unsanitary conditions at live marketplaces can spread the virus into an immensely populated area within a short time.

    Consumption

    • Touching the fowl, cleaning it and eating the infected eggs can infect the human populace of an entire city.

    Picnic Tables

    • In areas with infected birds, the droppings that dirty picnic tables at parks or in back yards can spread the avian virus to humans quickly.

    Human to Human Contact

    • According to the University of Michigan Health System, it is very rare for the avian virus to spread from human to human.

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