Influenza A

[Fluffy&Cutie]

i have a strange question...could the birds have caused DH's flu?
my husband has influenza A. a family member freaked out and said it came from the chickens. we have had these 2 chickens for 8 months with no problem. in addition to that, my hubby has very little contact with them. our bio security is that my son and i must change clothing after handling AND wash hands. (sometimes, i'll even send him to bathe) the coop is generally clean, (its been raining for a few days, so not perfect). (it literally JUST started to rain right now, lol).
2nd question, if the chickens caused the flu-A, will the eggs be tinted with the virus?
3rd question IS there a vaccination i can give (vet can give) the birds for influenza A?
4th ? is catching the flu...type A from backyard pet chickens common?
thanks for your support and answers.
i want to add that the girls look fine when i checked on them every morning and evening. i will super check the poop in the am light.

 

[Eggcessive]

No, chicken respiratory viruses are not contagious to humans, and vice versa.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Influenza a is avian flu and it comes from birds. They can pass to humans. There is no treatment. Are your birds acting like they have a cold?

From the CDC
Wild water birds (like ducks and geese) can be infected with bird flu viruses, but usually do not getsick. ... Some of these viruses can cause serious illness and death in domestic poultry (like chickens, ducks and turkeys). Bird Flu & People. It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu viruses, but it can happen.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/avianflu/avian-flu-transmission.pdf

 

[BGcoop]

Influenza A is one of the strains of flu being seen circulating this year. Your best protection against getting the flu is good hand hygiene and an annual flu shot.

And your DH is probably just as, if not more, likely to have picked it up from a public place, work, school, store.....

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

Influenza a is avian flu and it comes from birds. They can pass to humans. There is no treatment. Are your birds acting like they have a cold?

From the CDC
Wild water birds (like ducks and geese) can be infected with bird flu viruses, but usually do not getsick. ... Some of these viruses can cause serious illness and death in domestic poultry (like chickens, ducks and turkeys). Bird Flu & People. It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu viruses, but it can happen.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/avianflu/avian-flu-transmission.pdf

thank you.
they are not acting sick. this weekend i heard them calling to open the coop at 6:30am. they run and eat. their combs are red, the eyes look fine. i ve gotten an egg from them every single day since october. i fed them their snack of spinach, boss, scrambled eggs (its cold outside) and fruit. they ran over to eat it. i just check on them and they are on the roost. but its dark and raining so i will double check in the morning.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

thank you.
they are not acting sick. this weekend i heard them calling to open the coop at 6:30am. they run and eat. their combs are red, the eyes look fine. i ve gotten an egg from them every single day since october. i fed them their snack of spinach, boss, scrambled eggs (its cold outside) and fruit. they ran over to eat it. i just check on them and they are on the roost. but its dark and raining so i will double check in the morning.

Then your birds are fine and he probably got it from somebody already infected. The influenza a virus is caused by animals but easily spread to humans.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

can i test my birds to see if they carry the virus? can they be vaccinated?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

can i test my birds to see if they carry the virus? can they be vaccinated?

There is no vaccination and testing is unnecessary if they aren’t acting sick.

 

[Eggcessive]

I disagree. There are human influenza A and B viruses, different types of which are seen or vaccinated for each year, and they choose several they think will be a problem each year. Avian infuenza has a potential to infect humans, but so far has not in the US. You should check with your husband’s physician if you have questions. Here is a link about human influenza:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

Then your birds are fine and he probably got it from somebody already infected. The influenza a virus is caused by animals but easily spread to humans.

Influenza A is one of the strains of flu being seen circulating this year. Your best protection against getting the flu is good hand hygiene and an annual flu shot.

And your DH is probably just as, if not more, likely to have picked it up from a public place, work, school, store.....

thank you. i felt horrible bringing a disease into my home. i felt like it was my fault. ugh, the guilt...