Can my Birds catch my Flu?

[DonnaBudgie]

I have a 102.6 fever and just tested positive for Influenza A. There's some connection between "Bird Flu" and Influenza A and I'm not sure what it is. Avian Flu is a type A Flu virus, but is the Influenza A seasonal flu virus that people get communicable to birds? Does anyone know whether my birds can catch my Flu?

 

[rheashard2]

Contact your health care provider to verify if it is avian. Practice good hygiene in the meantime, wearing mask, keeping environment clean, good hand washing. Avoid hand sanitizers as the residue left can harm small animals including birds. If you have an avian vet check out what you can/should do.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

She said that it's not Avian type A but I don't know if she really knows. I'm worried about my budgies. I always have lots of contact with them. They all seem fine. Has anyone ever heard of giving birds their flu?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

CDC surveillance data says H1N1 and H3N2 Type A viruses are circulating and are the most prevalent strains. H5N1 is avian flu and it doesn't seem to be circulating. I hope my birds can't catch the strain I have.

 

[Jcas]

Most likely your birds are perfectly safe as It is extremely rare for a virus to hop across species. I’ve never heard of a human giving their bird the flu. As a general rule, human viruses are unable to adapt to a bird’s naturally higher body temperature. Hope you are feeling better soon

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Thanks! The body temperature thing is very interesting. My fever is supposed to help kill the flu virus and it couldn't grow in a hot bird.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I just read that a backyard flock of pet chickens, ducks and peafowl in Connecticut are infected with avian flu H5N1. They "depopulated" the flock to stop spread of the disease.

 

[rheashard2]

A neighbor just got rid of his chickens. He'd had flock for a few decades. The city came by because of complaints 'because I might get sick' neighbors. He, his brother from across the street put their houses for sale. Sad. He'd made his mum a promise. If eggs got above x, he'd raise chickens. They did, he did. Kinda wish my mom kept her promise. If cigarettes got to .25$ she'd quite! Well cigs passed that by several $$$ before she quite!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I love chickens! Such cool birds and they give us eggs! I don't even like to eat chicken anymore, especially when it still resembles a bird (rotisserie style).

 

[rheashard2]

I very rarely eat chicken 'cause my mom raised quail in basement. That's why though tempted I never want to breed birds. I'd have to help w egg bound, check temp, clean cages, keep incubator, heater and lights working etc. My sib's would complain and be excused. I'd complain and be ignored! This was very gross for an inner city preteen to deal with!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Why was she raising quail in an inner city basement?