Aside from the new clinical findings in the WHO avian flu fact sheet released yesterday, the other big news was that the virus can live in bird feces for up to 35 days in the winter, and for nearly a week in the summer
From the fact sheet :
Apart from being highly contagious among poultry, avian influenza viruses are readily transmitted from farm to farm by the movement of live birds, people (especially when shoes and other clothing are contaminated), and contaminated vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. Highly pathogenic viruses can survive for long periods in the environment, especially when temperatures are low. For example, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can survive in bird faeces for at least 35 days at low temperature (4oC). At a much higher temperature (37oC), H5N1 viruses have been shown to survive, in faecal samples, for six days.
Bottom line here is that even if this virus doesn’t become an efficient H2H (Human to Human) transmissible disease, the danger from exposure to birds and their droppings is very real.
If and when infected birds are detected in your area (not yet found in the US), then precautions will need to be taken regarding exposure to birds and their droppings. Children, in particular, will need to be warned not to touch birds, living or dead. Family pets, who might come in contact with birds or their droppings, could possibly bring the virus into the home.
While B2H (bird to human) transmission will not create a pandemic, it can still have tragic results.
