“At present, the risk of transmission to humans is low, as the current strain of the virus has been recorded as lower than normal concern for spread to humans,” said Dr. “The EOHU is working closely with provincial and federal partners, including the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to monitor the situation.” Although the exact mode of transmission from birds to humans is not known, most cases of avian influenza in humans have in the past been associated with direct contact with live or dead infected poultry or their feces. It is unlikely that you will catch bird flu from eating half-cooked eggs or poultry, but food safety measures should always be taken when handling poultry and egg products. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling food, keep products separate to avoid cross-contamination, clean and disinfect all surfaces, and cook poultry products thoroughly. Symptoms of H5N1 in humans can range from very mild to severe. The most common symptoms are the following:

Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or stuffy nose Muscle and / or body aches, headaches, fatigue or tiredness Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures. Diarrhea is more common when infected with avian influenza by human influenza viruses. If you have been near birds for the past 14 days (particularly sick or dead birds) and have not worn personal protective equipment, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Special tests are available to detect bird flu in humans. If you do not have access to a doctor, call Telehealth Ontario at 1 866 797-0000. In general, members of the public should avoid handling live or dead wild birds. If you can not avoid contact with wild birds, wear gloves or use a double plastic bag and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces. Then you should wash your hands with soap and warm water. The Ontario Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has information on safety principles for small herd owners. If you find a sick or dead wild bird in your backyard or park, call the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Center at 1 800 673-4781 to report the finding. If you notice large numbers of waterfowl or poultry in your area dying, notify the EOHU at 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120. For more information on avian influenza and how to prevent it from spreading to birds and humans, visit EOHU.ca/H5N1.