The most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle and/or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

Less common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures.

Tell your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms and if you have been around birds in the past 10 days (especially if you have been around sick/dead birds).

Specific tests are available to detect avian influenza in humans which can be performed by your health care provider.  If you do not have access to a healthcare provider, please call Health Connect Ontario at: 1-866-797-0007.

The transmission of avian influenza viruses to people from eating raw eggs or poultry is unlikely.

Following proper safe food handling practices will be the easiest way to protect yourself from illness, such as:

• hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food, and after handling raw meat, poultry, or eggs
• keeping raw poultry and egg products separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination
• clean contaminated surfaces on equipment and surfaces with hot, soapy water and then sanitize
  

Yes, if you use the following precautions:

• Do not handle or eat sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes.
• Avoid direct contact with blood, feces, and respiratory secretions of all wild birds.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game.
• Wear a medical mask, preferably an N-95 or KN-95, when cleaning game.
• Wear dish gloves or latex gloves when handling or cleaning game. Dispose of gloves and wash hands after removing gloves.
• Clean contaminated surfaces and equipment with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant. Immediately remove and wash clothing that may be contaminated with blood, feces or respiratory secretions.
• Cook pieces and cuts of game meat to an internal temperature of 74ºC (165ºF).
• Whole birds should be cooked to an internal temperature of 82°C (180°F).
• If you become ill while handling birds or shortly thereafter, see your doctor. Inform your doctor that you have been in contact with wild birds.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has information on biosecurity principles for small flock owners on their website.

Owners of small flocks and pet birds may want to consider removing wild bird feeders and bird baths to protect their birds from possible exposure to wild birds that may be infected with Avian Influenza.

For people with occupational exposure to live birds that are showing signs of respiratory or neurological disease or if you are working in an area where H5N1 has been diagnosed in wild birds or poultry.  It is recommended to work outdoors or in a highly ventilated areas when possible.  The following additional personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended:

• Fit-tested and seal-checked respirators (e.g., N95 or equipment with equivalent protection)
• Eye protection (e.g., tight-fitting non-vented safety goggles)
• Heavy duty rubber gloves when handling birds that can pierce skin with beak or claws, otherwise it is essential to wear rubber gloves or disposable gloves (e.g., latex or nitrile) for cleaning and sanitation procedures
• Impervious disposable gown or coveralls
• Disposable protective shoe/boot covers or rubber or polyurethane boots

If you become ill after handling birds, see your health care provider as soon as possible. Be sure to mention that you have been in contact with wild birds. If you do not have access to a healthcare provider, please call Health Connect Ontario at: 1-866-797-0007.