Controlling the traffic between infected and uninfected birds is essential. They are readily inactivated by heating and drying. However, flu viruses are well-protected from inactivation by organic material and infectious virus can be recovered from manure for up to 105 days. Complete removal of all organic material is part of any effective disinfection procedure. Contaminated houses are heated for several days to inactivate virus.
Organic material is removed followed by complete cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces.
Contaminated litter and manure is problematic and should be composted or buried to ensure that it does not spread infectious virus. Frequently asked questions 1. In most cases, the influenza viruses that infect birds do not infect humans and vice versa. However, in Hong Kong in 1997, a unique avian influenza virus infected both chickens and humans. This is the only time an avian influenza virus has ever been transmitted directly from birds to humans.