Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) – Finding Information

Influenza viruses are classified as types A, B and C and they are found in a very large number of different species of birds and mammals, including humans. In addition to man, influenza A viruses cause natural infections in birds while influenza B and C types usually affect humans. Influenza A viruses are also frequently isolated in pigs and horses. Wild birds are thought to be the source of spread of influenza A viruses to all other animals. Wild birds often carry the disease without becoming sick. All influenza viruses have the ability to mutate, and scientists are concerned by the fact that the A/H5N1 virus is now able to infect humans. Influenza pandemic is the term used for a serious human influenza epidemic, more severe than the normal seasonal outbreaks that occur almost every year. Pandemics are fairly rare, the last worldwide one being in 1968 (Hong Kong flu). They are caused by a new virus emerging against which humans have no immunity, resulting in transmission and multiple outbreaks across the globe. At this point, it is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

Avian Influenza – from the World Health Organization (WHO) - overview of the infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus and the significance of its transmission to humans.
www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) –from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) - offers basic information on the disease, overview of recent outbreaks, guidance for care providers, travel recommendations, hotline numbers, and links.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

Influenza – from EUROPA - (the portal site for the European Union) - overview, information about the virus, and latest news for Europe.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/influenza_en.htm

Pandemic Flu.gov - official U.S. web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

MAPS
Regularly updated maps from EUROPA.

Bird Flu Map - Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (A/H5N1) in Animals and Man Reported from Asia Since December 2003.  http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/ai_recent_en.htm

Bird Flu Map - Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (A/H5N1) in Animals in Europe.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/ai_europe_en.htm

Map of Documented Avian Influenza Infection in Humans - World Map - includes infections in humans from all strains of avian influenza - including A/H5N1.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/ai_human_en.htm