Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Avian Influenza A (H5N1) or bird flu is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. Outbreaks of bird flu among poultry are ongoing in a number of countries. While the bird flu does not usually infect people, human cases of the bird flu infection associated with these outbreaks have been reported. Most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, a few rare cases of human-to-human spread of the virus have occurred, though transmission has not continued beyond one person.

Before any international travel, visit the CDC's Travelers' Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel and make an appointment with the Duke Student Health Travel and Allergy Clinic to educate yourself and others who may be traveling with you about any disease risks and health recommendations for international travel in areas you plan to visit. For more information about bird flu, please visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ or http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birdflu.html.

Source: Avian Influenza: Current Situation. (2006) Retrieved February 15, 2006, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm.