Avian Flu and Monkeypox: Symptoms, Prevention, and Global Surveillance

Avian influenza (“bird flu”) and mpox (formerly called monkeypox) are zoonotic infections that can jump from animals to people. They matter because outbreaks can spread quickly, strain health systems, and disrupt daily life and the economy. These diseases can affect anyone, but risk is highest for people with close animal contact, certain sexual networks, and those with weak immune systems. Timely, clear information helps people spot symptoms early, reduce exposure, and know when to seek care. It also supports rapid public health action and global surveillance that can stop outbreaks before they grow.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, and mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, are zoonotic infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Both diseases are significant public health concerns due to their potential for rapid outbreaks that can overwhelm healthcare systems and disrupt societal functions and economies. While anyone can contract these infections, individuals with close animal interactions, certain sexual networks, and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. Access to timely and accurate information is vital for recognizing symptoms, minimizing exposure, and understanding when to seek medical attention. Such knowledge also aids in effective public health responses and global monitoring efforts to prevent larger outbreaks.

Understanding Avian Influenza and Mpox

Avian influenza is primarily transmitted through infected birds and can lead to severe respiratory illness in humans. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Mpox, on the other hand, is characterized by fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and is spread primarily through close contact with infected individuals. Both diseases showcase the critical need for awareness and prompt action in managing zoonotic infections.

Risk Factors

• Close contact with infected animals (e.g., poultry for avian influenza)
• Engagement in certain sexual networks for mpox
• Weakened immune systems due to underlying health conditions

Symptoms to Watch For

Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for effective treatment and containment:

• Avian Influenza: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.
• Mpox: Fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that can resemble pimples or blisters.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you experience any of the above symptoms, especially after potential exposure to infected animals or individuals, it is important to seek medical care promptly. Early intervention can greatly improve outcomes and help prevent the spread of infection.

FAQs

What should I do if I suspect I have been exposed to avian influenza or mpox?

Contact your healthcare provider immediately for guidance on testing and treatment options.

How can I reduce my risk of infection?

Practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with sick animals or individuals, and stay informed about local outbreaks and health advisories.

Are vaccines available for these diseases?

Currently, vaccines for avian influenza are primarily available for poultry. Vaccines for mpox exist and are recommended for individuals at high risk, but availability may vary.

How do health authorities monitor and manage outbreaks?

Health authorities engage in surveillance, contact tracing, and public health campaigns to educate the community and control the spread of these diseases.

What Are Avian Influenza and Monkeypox?

Avian influenza is a group of flu viruses that mainly infect birds. Some strains, such as H5N1 and H7N9, can infect humans and cause severe disease.

The current global concern centers on H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, which has caused widespread illness in wild birds and poultry. Since 2023–2024, it has also infected several mammal species, including sea lions, cats, and dairy cattle.

Human infections with avian flu remain rare. Most reported cases are linked to direct contact with infected birds, contaminated environments, or, in a few instances, contact with infected mammals.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus related to smallpox but usually less severe. The World Health Organization encourages the term “mpox” instead of monkeypox.

Two main clades (genetic groups) exist: Clade I (Central Africa) and Clade II (West Africa). The 2022–present global outbreak has been driven largely by Clade IIb, spreading through close physical and sexual contact networks.

Both diseases are zoonoses. They highlight how human health is linked to animal and environmental health, a concept known as One Health.

How They Spread (Causes and Transmission)

Avian influenza viruses spread easily among birds through saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Environments like live-bird markets can become heavily contaminated.

People can be exposed by handling sick or dead birds, cleaning coops, inhaling dust in contaminated areas, or touching contaminated surfaces and then the mouth, nose, or eyes. Eating fully cooked poultry or eggs is safe; thorough cooking inactivates the virus.

In 2024, H5N1 was detected in dairy cattle in the United States. Pasteurization kills the virus, but consuming raw milk or raw-milk cheeses may carry risk and is not recommended.

Sustained person-to-person spread of avian influenza has not been documented in current outbreaks. However, limited transmission in close contacts has been reported rarely, so monitoring is critical.

Mpox spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with lesions, scabs, or body fluids; intimate or sexual contact; respiratory droplets during prolonged close contact; and contaminated items like bedding or towels.

The animals that naturally harbor mpox are likely certain African rodents and small mammals. Outside Africa, most transmission since 2022 has been human-to-human in close-contact networks.

Who Is Most at Risk?

For avian influenza, people who work with birds are at higher risk. This includes poultry workers, farmers, veterinarians, cullers, wildlife rehabilitators, and laboratory staff handling avian specimens.

People who visit live-bird markets or handle backyard flocks without protective gear are also at increased risk. Children may be exposed by playing near poultry areas.

Those who consume or handle raw poultry, raw eggs, or raw milk products are at higher risk. Cooking to safe temperatures reduces risk significantly.

For mpox, risk is higher among people with frequent close physical or sexual contact with new or multiple partners, including within networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Anyone can get mpox through close contact.

People with weakened immune systems (such as advanced HIV), pregnant individuals, and young children are at higher risk for severe mpox. Crowded living conditions can facilitate spread.

Healthcare workers and caregivers of infected patients, and household members sharing bedding or towels, face increased risk without proper protection. Pets can also be exposed by close contact with infected people.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

• Avian influenza: sudden fever, cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis (red, painful eyes), headache, fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, or vomiting. Severe cases can progress rapidly to pneumonia and respiratory failure.

• Mpox: fever or no fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, followed by a rash that becomes firm, deep-seated lesions. Lesions can be very painful and often involve the face, mouth, hands, genitals, or anus. Some people have only localized lesions.

Avian flu symptoms often start 2–5 days after exposure, but the incubation period can be up to 10 days. Eye symptoms (conjunctivitis) can be prominent, especially in certain exposures like infected dairy cattle.

Mpox symptoms usually begin 5–21 days after exposure (often 7–14 days). In recent outbreaks, some people had minimal fever and mainly genital or anal lesions, proctitis, or mouth/throat pain.

If you have a new, unexplained rash or painful sores, avoid close contact with others and seek medical advice. Early care can reduce complications and limit spread.

Always tell your clinician about recent travel, animal exposures, contact with sick or dead birds, raw milk consumption, or close contact with someone who has a compatible illness or rash.

When to Seek Medical Care or Emergency Help

Seek medical care promptly if you develop flu-like illness after exposure to birds, poultry settings, or raw milk products. Tell the clinic ahead of arrival so they can take precautions.

Call your healthcare provider if you have a new rash with painful or fluid-filled lesions, especially with swollen lymph nodes or known exposure to mpox. Testing and treatment work best when started early.

Emergency care is needed for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips/face, signs of dehydration, or inability to keep fluids down. These can signal severe avian flu or complications of mpox.

Eye pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes with either illness require urgent evaluation. Mpox and avian influenza can both inflame the eyes and threaten vision.

Pregnant individuals, infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should seek care early. They are at higher risk for complications and may qualify for targeted therapies.

If you think you’ve been exposed, ask about post-exposure options. For mpox, vaccination soon after exposure can prevent or lessen illness. For avian flu, antivirals may be recommended for close contacts of confirmed cases.

Diagnosis and Testing

Avian influenza is diagnosed with RT-PCR testing of respiratory samples (such as nasopharyngeal swabs) and sometimes eye swabs if conjunctivitis is present. Testing is coordinated with public health labs.

Clinicians notify local or national health authorities when avian flu is suspected. Specialized labs determine the virus subtype (such as H5N1) and its genetic characteristics.

Chest imaging and blood tests may help assess severity in avian flu, but they do not confirm the virus. A detailed exposure history guides whether to test.

Mpox is diagnosed by PCR testing of swabs from skin or mucosal lesions. If no lesions are present yet, testing may need to wait until a rash develops.

Additional tests may include bloodwork to check hydration and secondary infections, throat or rectal swabs in select cases, and eye swabs if ocular disease is suspected.

People with advanced HIV or other immunocompromise may need additional testing for coinfections and closer monitoring. Rapid diagnosis improves outcomes and reduces spread.

Treatment and Supportive Care

• Avian influenza: early antivirals (such as oseltamivir; zanamivir or baloxavir may be options) are recommended for suspected or confirmed cases. Supportive care includes oxygen, IV fluids, and treatment of complications like bacterial pneumonia.

• Mpox: pain control, hydration, and skin care are essential. Tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be used for severe disease or high-risk patients under access programs; cidofovir or brincidofovir may be considered in select cases. Topical therapies and wound care can relieve symptoms.

Starting antivirals within 48 hours is ideal for avian flu, but treatment can still help if started later. Close contacts at high risk may receive post-exposure antiviral prophylaxis per public health guidance.

For mpox, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help pain and fever. Sitz baths, topical lidocaine, and stool softeners may reduce anal or genital pain.

Avoid touching lesions and keep them clean and dry. Cover lesions with clothing or bandages when around others to reduce spread.

Hospitalization may be needed for severe disease, dehydration, uncontrolled pain, eye involvement, or breathing problems. Isolation precautions help protect healthcare workers and other patients.

Prevention: Vaccination, Hygiene, and Exposure Reduction

• Vaccination: For mpox, the JYNNEOS (MVA-BN) vaccine is given as 2 doses 28 days apart; protection is strongest about 2 weeks after the second dose. Post-exposure vaccination within 4 days can prevent mpox and up to 14 days may reduce severity. ACAM2000 is another smallpox vaccine with more side effects and is used rarely. For avian flu, pandemic vaccine stockpiles exist for certain H5 strains; routine vaccination of the general public is not currently recommended.

• Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Do not share towels, bedding, or personal items with someone who is sick.

• Food safety: Cook poultry, eggs, and game birds to 165°F (74°C). Avoid raw or undercooked eggs. Do not consume raw milk or raw-milk cheeses; pasteurized dairy is safe.

• Animal and workplace safety: Avoid contact with sick or dead birds or mammals. Wear appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, N95 or similar respirator, and protective clothing) if you must handle animals or contaminated materials.

• Sexual health and social settings: If you or a partner has a new rash or sores, avoid sex and close contact until evaluated. Reducing partners, using condoms and barriers, and avoiding contact with visible lesions can lower mpox risk, though condoms do not fully prevent skin-to-skin transmission.

• Cleaning and isolation: If ill, isolate from others and pets. Disinfect high-touch surfaces with EPA-registered products effective against influenza or orthopoxviruses. Do laundry in hot water and dry on high heat.

Possible Complications and Long-Term Effects

Avian influenza can cause severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and multi-organ failure. Historically, some H5N1 cases have had high fatality rates.

Eye involvement (conjunctivitis, keratitis) can occur with avian flu, especially with certain exposures, and may threaten sight without prompt care.

Secondary bacterial infections, dehydration, and shock are other risks in severe avian flu. Early antivirals and supportive care improve outcomes.

Mpox complications can include bacterial superinfection of lesions, severe pain, scarring, and pigmentation changes. Eye involvement can lead to corneal damage.

In people with weakened immunity, mpox can disseminate, involve the lungs or brain, and become life-threatening. Pregnant individuals may have higher risks of complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Most people with mpox recover in 2–4 weeks, but fatigue and skin changes can linger. Mental health impacts from pain, isolation, or scarring are common and deserve attention.

Protecting Your Household and Community

Keep sick individuals in a separate room if possible. Limit visitors and keep pets away from the sick person, especially if mpox is suspected.

Use separate bedding, towels, and utensils for the ill person. Wash items with hot water and detergent; dry on high heat.

Open windows to improve airflow. Wear a well-fitted mask when sharing a space and when handling laundry or cleaning areas used by the sick person.

Dispose of waste (like dressings) in lined trash bags. Wash hands after handling any items from the sick room.

Stay home from work, school, or social events when ill. Follow local public health guidance on isolation length. For mpox, isolation should continue until all lesions have scabbed, scabs have fallen off, and new skin has formed.

Inform close contacts and seek advice about post-exposure measures. Quick action can prevent further spread.

Global Surveillance and Public Health Response

Global surveillance uses a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental data. Agencies like WHO, CDC, FAO, and WOAH coordinate detection and response.

For avian influenza, surveillance includes testing wild birds and poultry, monitoring farm outbreaks, and sequencing viruses to track genetic changes that could increase human risk.

Unusual events—like mammal die-offs or novel host infections (e.g., dairy cattle)—trigger rapid investigations, worker protections, and food safety guidance. Pasteurization and biosecurity are key controls.

Mpox surveillance includes case reporting, lab confirmation, contact tracing, and genomic sequencing to follow transmission and detect new clades or mutations.

Community engagement, targeted vaccination, and harm-reduction messaging help interrupt mpox transmission in high-risk networks. Wastewater and environmental sampling are being explored in some settings.

International Health Regulations require countries to report significant public health events. Transparent, rapid data sharing allows earlier alerts, better risk assessments, and faster deployment of vaccines, antivirals, and PPE.

Outlook and Where to Find Reliable Information

Avian influenza remains primarily a bird disease, but spillover to mammals and rare human cases are concerning. The main risk is that the virus could adapt for easier human transmission.

Mpox continues to circulate globally with periodic surges. Vaccination, testing, and community-led prevention have reduced severe disease, but gaps remain, especially where access to care is limited.

Seasonal changes, animal migrations, and human behavior can shift risks. Staying informed helps you act early and protect yourself and others.

Governments maintain plans for pandemic influenza, including vaccine seeds, antiviral stockpiles, and response frameworks. Hospitals train to identify and isolate suspected cases quickly.

Researchers track viral evolution to guide vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. Public health advice may change as new data emerge.

For trusted updates, follow your local health department, national agencies like the CDC, and the WHO. Always check publication dates to ensure guidance is current.

FAQ

• Is cooked chicken or eggs safe during avian flu outbreaks?
  Yes. Cooking poultry and eggs to 165°F (74°C) kills avian influenza viruses. Avoid raw or undercooked products.

• Can mpox spread through casual contact like passing someone in a store?
  Unlikely. Mpox usually needs prolonged close contact, direct skin-to-skin contact, or contact with contaminated items.

• Does the seasonal flu shot protect against H5N1 bird flu?
  No. It does not protect against avian influenza strains, but it reduces seasonal flu and co-infections that can complicate care.

• If I had mpox before, can I get it again?
  Reinfections appear uncommon but can occur. Vaccination and risk-reduction behaviors still help.

• What should I do if I handled a dead wild bird?
  Wash hands well, avoid touching your face, and contact local wildlife or health authorities for guidance. Monitor for symptoms for 10 days and seek care if you become ill.

• How long should someone with mpox isolate?
  Until all lesions have scabbed, scabs have fallen off, and new skin has formed—often 2–4 weeks. Follow local health guidance.

• Is pasteurized milk safe during H5N1 detections in dairy cattle?
  Yes. Pasteurization inactivates H5N1. Avoid raw milk and raw-milk cheeses.

More Information

• CDC: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) — https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/
• CDC: Mpox (Monkeypox) — https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/
• WHO: Mpox — https://www.who.int/health-topics/mpox
• MedlinePlus: Avian Influenza — https://medlineplus.gov/avianinfluenza.html
• MedlinePlus: Monkeypox — https://medlineplus.gov/monkeypox.html
• Mayo Clinic: Mpox — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/monkeypox/
• Healthline: Avian Influenza — https://www.healthline.com/health/bird-flu
• WebMD: Mpox (Monkeypox) — https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-monkeypox

If this guide helped you, please share it with friends and coworkers to support informed choices. For personal guidance, speak with your healthcare provider, especially if you have symptoms or think you were exposed. Explore related health topics and find local care resources on Weence.com.