Why do the current bird flu outbreaks pose a risk of causing a pandemic influenza outbreak in humans?

Cases of human infection with the avian flu virus have been reported in several countries, including Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. In each case of human infection, the person had close contact with infected poultry. Experts from around the world are watching the spread of this virus across the world very closely, and are preparing for the possibility that the virus that has infected people in Asia, Eurasia and the Near East may change into a strain that can be easily transmitted from person to person. More information on monitoring outbreaks.

Cases of human infection with the avian flu virus have been reported in several countries, including Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. In each case of human infection, the person had close contact with infected poultry. Experts from around the world are watching the spread of this virus across the world very closely, and are preparing for the possibility that the virus that has infected people in Asia, Eurasia and the Near East may change into a strain that can be easily transmitted from person to person. More information on monitoring outbreaks.