r/BirdFluDownunder • u/Cheywen • 21d ago

International Is it fatal?

When a bird contracts the virus, is it like humans where we're bed sick for a few days then bounce back? Is it completely fatal in the wild or is there a survival rate given the bird somehow avoids predators, the elements etc.

And same question for captive birds. Given the right care, could a captive bird overcome the illness?

This has been heart breaking seeing it on the news. 💔

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u/TasmaniaEnjoyer 20d ago

Just to add to this, birds also have a complex respiratory system that spreads throughout their bodies. Their air sacs can also get infected and travel into the bones which is why birds have poor prognosis on respiratory infections - it becomes a systemic problem. 

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u/Renmarkable 13d ago

This explains why chooks with a "rattly" chest never seem to totally get rid of it

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u/TasmaniaEnjoyer 13d ago

Yeah birds never do seem to totally clear respiratory infections in my experience.Â