Tips to keep you and your pets safe from bird flu

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Avian influenza, or bird flu, has been becoming a concern among pet owners. The high pathogenic stain can be harmful for mammals, including humans.

It's important to take steps to keep you and your pets safe.

For your outdoor cats, bring them inside.

"We want to avoid cats interacting with wildlife, potentially ingesting carcasses of animals that have passed away from avian influenza, and to decrease our interactions with waterfowl," said Stephany Lewis, the Director of the Wildlife Medical Clinic at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The same goes for dogs.

"Make sure they're on a leash when you walk them. And if they are outside, make sure you're closely monitoring them to make sure that they're not interacting with carcasses of wildlife or feces of wildlife," said Lewis.

Make sure you take extra care of your farm animals too.

"Minimize the amount of space they have to free roam. Ideally, if you are able to keep them in a run or coop that is totally covered on the top to prevent any feces from wild birds falling into their enclosure," said Lewis.

If you have any cattle or bigger farm animals that you need to care for, personal protective equipment can be beneficial.

"If you are a poultry worker or someone who works with livestock or you keep backyard chickens, definitely make sure you're wearing gloves when you handle them. Ideally a mask if you have, like, a N95 mask, that's always best," said Lewis.

Rodents can can be carriers of the disease.

"If you do have a coop or a run for your poultry, making sure that it's lined with a hardware cloth and doesn't have any gaps larger than about a quarter inch to prevent rodents from getting into the enclosure with your birds," explained Lewis.

As for the humans, it's important to keep clean.

"Make sure you're washing your hands really well and just overall practicing good hygiene," said Lewis.

And cook your food thoroughly.

"The virus does not survive heat very well. So as long as your meat and eggs and dairy products have been cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it's safe to eat. And the same with our dairy products. As long as it's being pasteurized," said Lewis.

By taking these extra precautions, you're ensuring that you and your furry friends are healthy and safe.

If you suspect that your pet is sick, contact your veterinarian and explain the symptoms. When you arrive at your vet, wait in the car until you receive permission to enter. Many vets will have special safety protocol in place to keep other animals safe for the illness.