You may have seen recent news about bird flu in Texas, such as in Landa Park in New Braunfels, near San Antonio, but there’s no need to panic. While this virus primarily affects birds and some animals, here’s what you need to know to keep your family safe.
What Is Bird Flu? How Does it Spread?
Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is a type of flu virus that mainly infects wild and domestic birds. It’s different from the flu that commonly spreads among people, but it can cause similar symptoms.
The virus is found in an infected animal’s saliva, mucus, milk, urine, or feces. It can spread when people touch contaminated surfaces such as cages, feathers, or farm equipment and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Inhaling virus-contaminated droplets or dust is another way people may become infected. There is a risk of getting bird flu from consuming undercooked poultry, eggs, or raw dairy products from infected animals.
In Texas, there was one case of avian influenza reported in humans in 2024.
Symptoms of Bird Flu:
Bird flu in kids can be similar to those of seasonal flu and may include:
In severe cases, bird flu can cause breathing difficulties, high fever, confusion, seizures, and even life-threatening complications.
At Little Spurs, if we suspect a case of avian influenza, we will report it to the nearest health department. In certain locations where our clinics operate, we may also collect a swab sample for submission to the health department. It’s important to let your child’s healthcare provider know if they have had any contact with birds, farm animals, or raw dairy products and are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
How Is Bird Flu in Kids Treated?
If caught early, antiviral medications may help treat bird flu. These work best when started soon after symptoms appear. Children with mild symptoms can usually recover at home with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If symptoms worsen, hospitalization may be necessary.
To prevent spreading the virus, your child should stay home from school or daycare until a provider says it’s safe to return.
Can Bird Flu Be Prevented?
Currently, there is no bird flu vaccine for the public, but researchers are working on one. In the meantime, here are some steps to help protect your family:
- Avoid Direct Contact With Birds: observe from a distance and steer clear of poultry farms or live bird markets in affected areas.
- Wash Hands Often: especially after visiting farms, petting zoos, or ponds. Remove shoes before entering your home.
- Use Protective Gear like gloves, masks, and eyewear when working with animals, and change clothes afterward.
- Report Sick or Dead Animals to health authorities and avoid touching them.
- Practice Safe Food Handling by cooking poultry, eggs, and meat properly, using separate utensils, and washing hands.
- Choose Pasteurized Dairy to avoid harmful germs.
- Get a Flu Shot to lower the risk of co-infections, though it doesn’t protect against bird flu.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
While bird flu infections in humans are rare, taking these precautions from our urgent care pediatrics team can help keep your family healthy. If you have concerns or your child develops flu-like symptoms, visit your nearest Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care for guidance and care.
