What the rise in bird flu cases means for South Africa and beyond

Avian flu has evolved from a farmer's concern to a significant public health threat, with its rapid spread across the US and Europe prompting urgent discussions in South Africa. 

Concern mounts as the rapid spread of avian influenza across the United States and Europe has intensified calls for widespread poultry vaccination in South Africa. 

Once largely confined to wild birds, the virus has increasingly drawn global attention for its ability to devastate poultry industries and, in rare cases, infect humans.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is bird flu?

Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that occurs naturally in wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese. While these birds often carry the virus without showing symptoms, it can spread rapidly when it reaches domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys, often with deadly consequences.

How does it spread?

The virus spreads when infected birds shed it through their saliva, mucus and faeces.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans are rarely infected, but when they are, it is usually after close, unprotected contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

This can happen by breathing in airborne droplets or dust containing the virus, touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face (eyes, nose, or mouth).

Although human infections remain rare, experts warn that the risk increases in high-exposure settings like farms.

New concerns

In a huge 2024 development, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the A(H5N1) strain spread to dairy cattle in the United States.

What was even more concerning was that dairy workers were infected after direct contact with sick cows. Additionally, infections were linked to exposure to contaminated raw milk, including splashes into the eyes.

This marked a worrying expansion of the virus into mammals, something scientists are closely monitoring.

Symptoms

Bird flu in humans can present in different ways.

Mild symptoms: 

Eye redness (conjunctivitis) — notably the most common symptom in recent U.S. cases

Severe symptoms:

Acute respiratory illness

Pneumonia

Multi-organ failure

Seizures

Altered consciousness

In some cases, the disease can be fatal.

Can it spread between people?

According to both the WHO and CDC, human-to-human transmission remains extremely rare and typically occurs only after prolonged, close contact with an infected person.

However, this is where the biggest global concern lies.

Health experts fear the virus could mutate and gain the ability to spread easily between humans. This is a terrifying scenario that could trigger a new influenza pandemic.

But it is also worth noting that there is no need to worry about that at this point in time.

Why there’s no vaccine yet 

There is currently no specific human vaccine for avian influenza, according to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

But that doesn’t mean there’s no protection.

Health authorities recommend getting the seasonal flu vaccine, especially for poultry workers

Why? It helps prevent a dangerous process called “genetic reassortment”. This happens where human flu and bird flu viruses mix to create a new, potentially pandemic strain.

Global health bodies are also continuously developing and updating candidate vaccines as part of pandemic preparedness.

How to protect yourself

For most people, the risk remains low — but basic precautions are key:

• Cook poultry, eggs, and meat thoroughly
• Only consume pasteurised milk
• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals
• Use protective gear if working with animals
• Wash hands regularly and thoroughly

Weekend Argus