Avian Influenza

The Influenza Pandemic
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
by John M. Barry
The Great War had brought Paul Lewis into the navy in 1918 as a lieutenant commander, but he never seemed quite at ease when in his uniform. It never seemed to fit quite right, or to sit quite right, and he was often flustered and failed to respond

Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
by CDC
H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but more than 200 human cases have been reported. Most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

Avian Influenza Infection in Animals
by CDC
Large cats kept in captivity have been diagnosed with avian influenza as well. In December 2003, two tigers and two leopards that were fed fresh chicken carcasses from a local slaughterhouse died at a zoo in Thailand.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) FAQ
by CDC
How is avian influenza detected in humans? Avian influenza cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, so a laboratory test is required. Avian influenza is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat during the first few days of illness.

Influenza Pandemic Preparedness
by CDC
What changes are needed for H5N1 or another avian influenza virus to cause a pandemic? Three conditions must be met for a pandemic to start: 1) a new influenza virus subtype must emerge for which there is little or no human immunity; 2) it must infect

Influenza Vaccines and Drugs
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Scientists and public health experts are looking for ways to boost the production of influenza vaccine and make it available more quickly to more people. And researchers are looking at new technologies that could be used to produce vaccine, not just

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Infection in Humans
by CDC
Although avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans, more than 200 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses have been reported since 1997.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
by CDC
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them.

Understanding Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
by Health Canada
Avian influenza is a viral infection that can spread easily and quickly among birds. There are at least 15 types of avian flu. They are all caused by various strains of type A influenza virus. Birds spread avian flu virus to one another through secretions

Preparing For Influenza Season
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Preparing for the influenza season each year is a time-critical, highly orchestrated, collaborative effort between the FDA, the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccine manufacturers, and the health care

Influenza Vaccination is the best Prevention
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Seasonal influenza is among America's most lethal killers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because the virus infects so many people-5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population every year.

Influenza (the flu) Health Effects and Risks
by Health Canada
Influenza (or flu) is a common respiratory illness affecting millions of Canadians each year. Getting an influenza vaccination (or flu shot) every year can help prevent the infection or reduce the severity of the illness.

Influenza Pandemic Preparation
by Health Canada
A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a specific disease which affects a large proportion of the population. There is no influenza pandemic activity anywhere in the world at this time, but scientists agree there will be a global outbreak of influenza