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Avian Flu Alert!
Avian influenza (H5N1) is an type of influenza A that occurs naturally among wild birds. Avian influenza, or Bird Flu as it is often called, is highly contagious. It is generally carried in the intestines of wild birds and spreads to domestic poultry via saliva, nasal secretions and feces.
Normally, avian viruses do not infect humans, however over 100 confirmed cases of human infection have been reported since 1997. The vast majority of human cases have been the result of direct contact with infected birds. There have been cases of human to human transmission, but they have been rare and have not transferred beyond one person.
The risk of avian flu to human health is not only direct infection, but also mutation of the virus. Health organizations are concerned that avian influenza could mutate into a highly contagious, highly virulent pathogen.
Human immune systems offer little protection against avian viruses because avian viruses generally do not infect humans. Many countries throughout the world are implementing preparedness plans to respond to an avian flu outbreak but the World Health Organization (WHO) recently suggested that the world is still ill-prepared.
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Preparedness Businesses
- Planning- Checklist
Schools
- Planning - Checklist
Healthcare
- Planning
Avian Flu Links CDC: Avian Flu
- Questions & Answers - Fact Sheet
WHO: Avian Flu
- Recent News - FAQ - Fact Sheet - Timeline
CDC Information
- CDC's Flu Update
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Human H5N1 Cases
The World Health Organization has reported
human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in the following countries (since January, 2004): |
Animal H5N1 Cases
The World Health Organization has reported avian influenza A (H5N1) infections in poultry or wild birds in the following countries (since December, 2003):
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