Since2003, humans and birds have been infected in Cambodia, China,Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. If the disease is found, the farm would bequickly quarantined and the disease traced to its source. North Carolina willaggressively respond to an outbreak of bird flu to by following abird flu response plan. Some poultry farmers areplacing disinfectant foot baths outside poultry houses, requiringall who enter to wear disposable booties and wash their feet afterleaving house. There is little North Carolina can do to keep out migrating fowlthat are diseased.

These infected turkeys were housed insidenear lake where wild duck was found dead from the virus. However, bird flu is very contagious among birdsand can sicken and kill some domesticated birds, includingchickens, ducks and turkeys. Some poultry farmers areplacing disinfectant foot baths outside poultry houses, requiringall who enter to wear disposable booties and wash their feet afterleaving house. There is little North Carolina can do to keep out migrating fowlthat are diseased. Wild birds throughout theworld carry the viruses in their intestines but usually do not getsick from them.

North Carolina willaggressively respond to an outbreak of bird flu that can kill birds and humanswas found on turkey farm in France late last month, the firsttime the disease has been reported in commercial flock in theWestern World. Birds become infected through direct contact withinfected birds or objects contaminated with bird secretions. State and industry officials are focusing oncontaining the disease, if or when it arrives. If disease is suspected, animals or samplesshould be sent to laboratory because bird flu can be confirmedonly through laboratory testing.

Since2003, humans and birds have been infected in Cambodia, China,Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Some poultry farmers areplacing disinfectant foot baths outside poultry houses, requiringall who enter to wear disposable booties and wash their feet afterleaving house. There is little North Carolina can do to keep out migrating fowlthat are diseased. If disease is suspected, animals or samplesshould be sent to laboratory because bird flu can be confirmedonly through laboratory testing. Death usually occurs within to of the first signs of disease. How does bird flu spread? Infected birds spread flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretionsand feces.