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ā€‹Guidance for People with Possible or Confirmed Bird Flu Infection

CDPH is working to protect public health related to bird flu. We monitor infection data, evolving science, and the people affected. Our knowledge will change as we learn more. We are committed to reducing the impact to those at highest risk.ā€‹

To date, there has been no person-to-person spread of bird flu in the United States. The following recommendations are based on currently available information. They apply to people who are not in the hospital who:   ā€‹

  • Have symptoms of bird flu.  

  • Are waiting to be tested for bird flu.  

  • Are waiting for bird flu test results.  

  • Have a confirmed bird flu test result.   ā€‹

ā€‹Check with your local health department about modified isolation and work exclusion. They may have different recommendations or requirements in place. 

Recommendations

Monitor your symptoms if sick.  

  • ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹Go to a healthcare provider right away if you start to feel worse or if you have trouble breathing.  

If you need healthcare 

  • Tell your healthcare provider that you have or are being checked for bird flu. 

    • ā€‹This way, steps can be taken to protect other people.  

  • Wear a mask if you enter any healthcare facility. ā€‹ā€‹

Modified workplace isolation 

If you feel well enough to work 

You may work if you and your coworkers do all of the following:  

  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while working. 

  • Wash hands often with soap and water.  

    • If you canā€™t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  

  • Wear well-fitting facemasks while together:  

    • In breakrooms.  

    • Other areas where PPE is typically not worn. 

    • Sharing transportation to and from work. ā€Æ ā€‹

Isolation at home

ā€‹Stay home unless it is necessary to:ā€‹

  • See a healthcare provider.

  • Go to work. 

ā€‹If you are taking prescribed antiviral flu medication:  

  • Continue to take it as prescribed unless told to stop.  

ā€‹If living with other people or pets: 

  • Avoid contact with other people and pets where possible.ā€Æā€Æ 

    • ā€‹Wear a well-fitting mask indoors if you are around other people or pets.  

    • ā€‹Cough or sneeze into your elbow, arm, or a disposable tissue. Make sure to throw away your tissue, then wash or sanitize your hands.  

    • ā€‹Avoid contact with people at increased risk.ā€Æ 

  • Before contact with each other, you and others should wash your hands with soap and water often.    

    • ā€‹If you canā€™t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  

  • Avoid touching your eyes if you have an eye infection.  

  • At least daily, clean and disinfect items or surfaces that are touched often.   

  • Avoid sharing bedding, towels, wash cloths, and personal items with other people.  

    • This is especially important if these items have come in contact with your eyes.  

    • Wash items before other people use them.    ā€‹ā€‹

When to stop isolation 

If test results are negative, isolation can stop. 

If bird flu test is positive:  ā€‹

You may stop isolation when all of these are true:  

  • If you had an eye infection, your eyes are no longer red, irritated or draining.   

  • Any other symptoms are mild and improving. 

  • Any fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine. Fever means a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher. 

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