Avian Influenza Poses Contagious Threat to Birds, Mammals, and Humans in the U.S.
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious disease primarily affecting birds, particularly wild aquatic birds like geese, ducks, and swans. The virus can spread to other wild and domestic birds, various wild and domestic mammals, and even humans. Infected animals transmit the virus through saliva, mucus, and feces, and it can also be present in their tissues. Mammals, including foxes, raccoons, skunks, and domestic cats, can become infected by contact with infected birds or their environment, or by consuming contaminated raw milk or meat. Dairy cows have also been found to excrete the virus in their milk, making raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products unsafe for consumption. Human infections have occurred through close and prolonged contact with infected animals or their environments, often without the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). While most human cases in the U.S. have been mild, severe cases and fatalities have been reported. Symptoms in humans can include fever,... 
