What is the bird flu (avian influenza)?
The bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. These flu virus occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the virus in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from it. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. How does the bird flu virus differ from seasonal flu viruses that infect humans? Of the few bird flu viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, the most recent virus that you are hearing about in the news has caused the largest number of reported cases of severe disease and death in humans. In Asia, more than half of the people infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults. However, it is possible that the only cases currently being reported are those in the most severely ill people and that the full range of illness caused by the curren
