Pasadena Public Health Issues Tips to Protect Pets Against Bird Flu

Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) officials encourage the community to take precautionary measures to protect their pets against H5N1, commonly known as Bird Flu.

Bird Flu is a viral infectious disease that spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact or indirectly when the virus is on clothing, shoes, vehicles, rodents, insects, feed, water, feathers, and other items and mammals. Infected birds release the virus in bodily fluids such as mucus, saliva, and feces.

In California, risk of Bird Flu infections spreading to people from animals or in animal products is currently low. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is testing for Bird Flu in wild birds, domestic birds, and select mammals. To date, no person-to-person spread of Bird Flu has been detected in California and nearly all infected individuals had exposure to infected cattle.

Community members are urged to protect pets from Bird Flu. Do not feed raw milk (unpasteurized) or raw milk products to pets and keep pets away from sick and dead animals. There is some risk of the virus spreading to dogs, cats, and other wild mammals if they eat uncooked poultry or infected animals and/or encounter infected Bird Flu feces. Sick birds or animals may not have flu-like symptoms, but may appear generally sick, have difficulty moving, seizures, or be found dead. Report sick or dead birds for potential collection and testing by calling Pasadena Humane Animal Care and Control at (626) 792-7151 ext. 970.

Best practices to reduce risk for you and your pets:

• Avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products: Do not eat or drink raw milk, cheese, cream, or uncooked/undercooked meat products. Do not feed these to your pets.
• Wash your hands: Anytime you are in contact with animals, wash your hands with soap and water, especially before touching your face or eyes.
• Limit contact with animals: Avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals or birds. If you have to handle wild birds, even if they appear healthy, wear a well-fitting mask and gloves, and wash your hands after handling. Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva, mucus, or poop from wild or domestic birds.
• Protect pets or poultry: Keep pets away from wild animals and birds. Do not handle sick or injured birds. Prevent wild birds from getting into areas where pet birds or poultry reside. Also ensure wild birds cannot defecate into areas holding pet birds or poultry. If you own backyard chickens, take steps to protect your flock and yourself.
• Remove bird feeders and baths: Take down bird feeders and shared bird baths to reduce the risk of the virus spreading from bird-to-bird.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine: Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time. For more information about flu vaccines, visit the CDC Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics website.

Signs and symptoms of Bird Flu virus infection in humans may include cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever or feeling feverish, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or eye redness, discomfort or discharge. Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for outpatients and hospitalized patients who are suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of human infection with the Bird Flu virus. If you think you may have been infected with Bird Flu, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Acute Communicable Disease Control Program at (213) 240-7941.

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