Bird Flu Also called: Avian flu, Avian influenza, H5N1, H7N9 Summary Birds, just like people, get the flu. Bird flu viruses infect birds, including chickens, other poultry, and wild birds such as ducks. Most bird flu viruses can only infect other birds. However, bird flu can pose health risks to people. The first case of a bird flu virus infecting a person directly, H5N1, was in Hong Kong in 1997. Since then, the bird flu virus has spread to birds in countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Human infection is still very rare, but the virus that causes the infection in birds might change, or mutate, to more easily infect humans. This could lead to a pandemic, a worldwide outbreak of the illness. During an outbreak of bird flu, people who have contact with infected birds can become sick. It may also be possible to catch bird flu by eating poultry or eggs that are not well cooked or through contact with a person who has it. Bird flu can make people very sick or even cause death. Antiviral medicines may make the illness less severe, and may help prevent the flu in people who were exposed to it. There is currently no vaccine. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Start Here Avian Influenza World Health Organization Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research H5N1 Avian Flu (H5N1 Bird Flu) Department of Health and Human Services H7N9: Frequently Asked Questions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Avian influenza Specifics Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Avian Influenza A Virus Infections in Humans Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Avian Influenza in Birds Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions on Human Infection Caused by the Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus World Health Organization Influenza Type A Viruses and Subtypes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases World Health Organization World Health Organization Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Influenza in Birds National Institutes of Health Related Issues Pandemic Flu Department of Health and Human Services Travelers’ Health: Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prevention and Risk Factors Prevention and Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Transmission of Avian Influenza A Viruses Between Animals and People Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Bird Flu
