H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) is an influenza virus widespread in wild birds worldwide. It also causes outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
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What MSDH Is Doing
To monitor and respond effectively to potential outbreaks, MSDH conducts routine and enhanced respiratory surveillance across the state. This includes tracking influenza-like illness (ILI), RSV, and COVID-19 through established reporting systems and producing a weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report to keep healthcare providers and the public informed.
In partnership with the CDC and the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, MSDH is enhancing monitoring for signs of avian influenza in humans. To support rapid response to human infection, MSDH has prepositioned testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) across the state.
Current Mississippi Surveillance
Cases and surveillance results since December 20th, 2024.
Current U.S. Surveillance
How Avian Influenza Spreads
- Infected birds shed avian influenza viruses through their saliva, mucous and droppings.
- Other animals infected with avian influenza viruses may have virus present in respiratory secretions, different organs, blood, or in other body fluids, including animal milk.
- Human infections with avian influenza viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.
- This can happen when virus is airborne (in droplets, small aerosol particles, or possibly dust) and is breathed in, or comes into contact with the mucus membranes of the eyes. A person can also be infected by touching something contaminated by viruses and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Who Is at Risk?
In the United States, people at higher risk of infection are those with job-related or recreational exposure to birds, dairy cows, or other animals infected with avian influenza virus, or exposure to contaminated products (e.g., raw milk) from infected animals.
Farm workers most likely to be exposed:
- Poultry workers
- Dairy workers
Other types of workers that may also be exposed:
- Other livestock workers
- Animal health responders involved in poultry culling or handling sick or dead wild animals
- Dairy laboratory workers
- Food processing workers handling raw milk and other confirmed or potentially contaminated materials
- Public health responders
- Veterinarians and veterinary staff
- Zoo workers or other wild animal facility/farm workers such as sanctuary workers, aquarium workers, wildlife rehabilitators, or fur farm workers
- People with recreational exposure such as backyard bird flock owners or hunters of wild birds and waterfowl
- Slaughterhouse workers performing certain tasks on lactating dairy cattle including:
- Unloading or handling live lactating dairy cattle for slaughter, including working in holding pens and tasks involved with live animal inspection
- Post-mortem processes including the post-mortem inspection, handling and transporting of viscera
- Removing and transporting udders from dairy cattle for further processing or rendering
Signs and Symptoms of Infection
Symptoms of human infection range from no symptoms or mild to severe. Signs and symptoms may include:
- mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
- pneumonia requiring hospitalization
- fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish (fever may not always be present)
- eye redness (conjunctivitis)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuff nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures.
What to do if you are exposed to avian influenza
You should watch for symptoms until 10 days after your last exposure. Look for any of the above signs and symptoms that appear or worsen.
If you develop symptoms:
- Isolate at home away from household members.
- Immediately call MSDH at 601‑576‑7725 (601-576-7400 after hours, weekends and holidays) to report your exposure and symptoms.
- If you are tested for bird flu, you should remain in isolation until lab results are back.
Prevention
The best way to prevent H5 bird flu is to avoid exposure whenever possible. Infected birds shed avian influenza viruses in their saliva, mucous and droppings. Other infected animals may shed viruses in respiratory secretions and other body fluids (e.g., in unpasteurized cow milk or "raw milk").
- As a general precaution, whenever possible people should avoid contact with sick or dead animals, in particular wild birds and poultry.
- For individuals with direct/close contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses even if they don't look sick.
- Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous or droppings (feces) from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza virus infection.
Vaccination
No human vaccines for prevention of H5 avian influenza virus infection are currently available in the United States. Seasonal flu vaccinations do not protect against human infection with H5 avian influenza viruses.
Backyard Flock Safety
Watch for signs of illness in your birds. Sick poultry may:
- Eat or drink less than normal.
- Have ruffled feathers.
- Have runny diarrhea.
- Have discharge from the eyes or nose or difficulty breathing.
- Produce fewer eggs than normal.
- Produce discolored, irregular or misshapen eggs.
- Die unexpectedly of no apparent cause.
Precautions
- Don't touch sick or dead birds, their droppings or litter, or any surface or water source that might be contaminated with their saliva, feces, or other body fluids without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Wash your hands with soap and running water after handling backyard poultry or any surface where they live and roam. (Adults should supervise handwashing for young children.) Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Learn more →
- Don't let backyard poultry inside the house, especially in areas where food or drinks are prepared, served, or stored.
- Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for poultry. This includes cages or food and water containers.
If your backyard flock has bird flu, the CDC has additional information about cleaning and disinfecting, depopulation of infected birds, and additional steps to protect yourself, including recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE).
For More Information
- Report dead birdsReport high backyard poultry deaths or unusual wild bird deaths to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health
- Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals CDC
- Backyard Flock Owners and Bird Flu CDC
- Hunters and Bird Flu CDC
