Can Avian Flue Became Human Flu?

Transmission and Safety Measures

Avian flu can be transmitted to humans who come in contact with the feces, saliva, nasal secretions or blood of an infected animal. Generally, influenza is transmitted between humans via water droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infection can occur if the droplets are inhaled or are wiped on one’s face (such as if someone’s hand comes in contact with a counter that was sneezed on). The disease is airborne only immediately after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The water droplets fall to the ground and do not remain suspended in the air.

Though health care workers may need to take more precautions due to increased exposure, a surgical mask will serve as adequate protection for others who come into contact with someone who is infected. Also, those who are infected can drastically reduce transmission by wearing a surgical mask, preventing the virus from being expelled when they cough or sneeze. This safety approach applies for all Influenza strains.

Although Influenza is not believed to be an airborne disease, this is no guarantee that a similar disease or mutation in the future will not be airborne either. Steps must be taken to prepare for this eventuality. In the case of an unknown disease, one preventative measure that should be taken is the use of negative air pressure filtration in the rooms of infected patients. This air filtration technique can ensure that all air leaving the room of an infected patient passes through an air purifier with a HEPA filter and UV light to trap and sterilize bacteria and viruses, significantly limiting the spread of the disease. Hospitals may wish to keep a stock of portable air purifiers to be used to create negative pressure rooms in the event of an outbreak where the disease pathology is not yet understood.