What To Do After Possible Exposure to Avian Flu

If you had contact with sick or dead animals

Take these steps right away:

Wash your hands with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Change your clothes and shoes

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Watch for symptoms

Watch for symptoms of avian flu for 10 days after your last contact.

If you get sick or have symptoms

Call your local health department. They can help you get tested and treated.
If it's after regular hours, call 919-733-3419 for our 24/7 on-call public health epidemiologist.

Do not go to work or be around others if you feel sick.

If it’s an emergency

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

**Fact Sheet: What to Do If Exposed (PDF)**

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Did you hear from us?

If you have been exposed to avian flu, you may hear from NCDHHS or your local health department. We may contact you to:

Check on your health
Talk through next steps, including testing
Help prevent the spread of avian flu

We may call or send text messages to share information about possible avian flu exposure.

Text messages will come from 1-984-400-0729.
Phone calls will come from 1-844-628-7223 and/or your local health department.

What to know about public health outreach for communicable diseases

If you think this is an error, have questions or need support related to avian flu, call the NC Public Health Outreach Team at 1-844-628-7223 or your local health department. The NC Public Health Outreach Team or your local health department may also contact you. Please answer the call!

We’re here if you need us.

To talk to someone on the phone, call your local health department or the NC Public Health Outreach Team at 1-844-628-7223.