The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently advises travelers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza A of the H5N1 strain to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. Human cases of avian influenza infection have been reported in several countries, including Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta currently advises that travelers to countries in Asia with known outbreaks of influenza A (H5N1) avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. For more information about travel recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#country <http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm>.

In February 2004, CDC provided U.S. health departments with recommendations for enhanced surveillance ("detection") in the U.S. of avian influenza A (H5N1). Follow-up messages (Health Alert Network) were sent to the health departments on August 12, 2004, and February 4, 2005, both reminding health departments about how to detect (domestic surveillance), diagnose, and prevent the spread of avian influenza A (H5N1). It also recommended measures for laboratory testing for H5N1 virus.

The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia and Europe has not been found in the United States. There have been no human cases of H5N1 flu in the United States. It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries in Asia could be infected if they were exposed to the virus. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.

Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control.

Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control.

The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia has not been found in the United States. There have been no human cases of H5N1 flu in the United States. It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries in Asia could be infected. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.

Although it is unpredictable when the next pandemic will occur and what strain may cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a highly pathogenic—and now endemic—avian H5N1 virus across eastern Asia and other countries represents a significant threat. Avian H5N1 influenza infection in humans was first recognized in 1997 when this virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing 6 deaths.

Be vigilant, report 5 or more dead birds to the DNR office near you. Practice good hygiene - wash your hands frequently, do not handle dead or sick birds, and don't eat, drink, or smoke while handling birds or bird related equipment and materials. And if you feel sick stay home and call your doctor.

New human flu viruses can arise from bird flu viruses that then change to a form that can infect humans and spread readily from person to person. Current bird flu outbreaks in Asia, Europe and Africa are caused by a type of flu virus called "H5N1." Human infections and deaths due to the H5N1 virus have occurred, although the virus has at this time not developed the ability to pass easily from person to person and cause outbreaks in humans.

The Iowa DNR, working with the USDA, will begin sampling migratory and shore birds this fall to monitor for the H5N1 Avian Influenza. State and local governments have numerous disaster plans in place and are reviewing and developing additional plans to deal with an avian influenza outbreak here in Iowa and a pandemic flu in humans.

The poultry industry has been working for many years to improve the safety of the American food chain and has developed biosecurity plans not only for avian influenza, but for many poultry diseases.

All flu viruses are classified as type A, B or C depending on their structural arrangement. Type A is responsible for lethal pandemics and is found in both animals and humans. Type B causes local outbreaks of flu. Type C is the most stable of the three and infected people show only mild symptoms of flu. Type B and C are usually found only in humans. Type B and C are more stable than type A and are not classified according to their subtypes.

No. The current outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is a disease of birds that has made some people sick, but it is not a human pandemic. Bird flu would have to change form (mutate) to become pandemic flu. We don't know if that will ever happen.

Although scientists cannot predict when the next pandemic will start, or what strain of flu virus will cause it, the continued spread of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in birds across Asia and into Europe is being closely watched. People confirmed to be infected with the H5N1 virus have become severely ill, and about half of them have died.

State and federal departments of agriculture are routinely testing chickens for evidence of infection with the H5N1 avian flu and other poultry diseases. State and federal wildlife officials are testing wild waterfowl, such as wild ducks and geese, and shorebirds, such as plovers and sandpipers, for the Asian bird flu in only select areas of the state. Wildlife officials are NOT accepting backyard dead wild birds for testing for bird flu virus.

Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control.

The Asian H5N1 is a severe form of avian influenza that has been reported in birds (mostly in poultry) in parts of Asia and Europe.

The federal government was been developing the "National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza" and other plans to prepare for a possible avian influenza outbreak in the US and a possible pandemic flu event. For more information on federal activities checkout pandemicflu.gov.

Scientists cannot predict whether the H5N1 avian influenza virus will cause a pandemic. But federal, state and local health officials are working with their counterparts throughout the world to track H5N1 as it occurs in birds, and to watch for possible human cases.

There are several countries where large epidemics of bird flu are being reported. These countries have reported the infection over a few weeks time. At present these countries include Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Japan and Taiwan. There are fears that the virus may jump from birds to human beings in larger numbers. According to current information the infection does not spread from an infected human to another but this is a possibility.