The current risk for people in the United States from avian flu is low. The risk is low because of two factors. First, we do not have any birds that we know of in the United States at this time with the H5N1 flu strain. Second, because H5N1 is almost never transmitted from human to human at this time, it is not able to spread to large numbers of people. top

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.

Yes, avian influenza viruses are found in wild bird populations in North America and occasionally infect domestic poultry. For example, in 2004 outbreaks of avian influenza in U.S. poultry occurred in the New England states and Texas, and were traced to birds from live bird markets. These outbreaks were not caused by the same "bird flu" virus (H5N1) that is currently circulating in Asia. The U.S. outbreaks were quickly contained and there was no impact on human health.

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.

Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there is no evidence that anyone has been infected with H5N1 influenza or other bird flu viruses by eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products (e.g., eggs) derived from infected birds. Cooking food thoroughly will kill bird flu virus and other infectious agents if they are present. No. Although fleas can transmit some diseases, such as bubonic plague, they are not part of the lifecycle of influenza viruses.

No. Public health departments and the US Department of Agriculture are monitoring the situation in the United States , in humans and birds, as well as other animals. To date, avian (bird) flu has not been found in the United States.

The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds.

The elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems have the greatest risks of contracting bird flu. Proximity to the virus in infected birds is necessary as well. The risk from bird flu is generally low for most people because the virus occurs mainly among birds and does not usually infect humans.

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.

Currently, there have been no human cases of Avian Influenza in the United States. There has also been no evidence of Americans becoming infected while traveling abroad. Medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to any evidence of human cases in the United States.

present, the H5N1 avian flu is not known to be here in the United States. Those with pet birds, such as parrots, cockatiels, love birds or budgies should not worry about their pets getting "bird flu" if they have not been out of the country or in contact with birds from other countries. In order to protect your pet birds from other avian diseases, keep your birds isolated from wild birds. Isolation of newly acquired or ill birds from others for 30 days is recommended.

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, distributed via the Health Alert Network, were sent to the health departments on August 12, 2004, and February 4, 2005; both alerts reminded health departments about how to detect (domestic surveillance), diagnose, and prevent the spread of avian influenza A (H5N1).

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.

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.

In the United States, cholera was prevalent in the 1800s but has been virtually eliminated by modern sewage and water treatment systems. However, as a result of improved transportation, more persons from the United States travel to parts of Africa, Asia, or Latin America where epidemic cholera is occurring . U.S. travelers to areas with epidemic cholera may be exposed to the cholera bacterium.

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.

To date, the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds. Despite the millions of people who have had close contact with domestic fowl during the past 10 years in Asia, just over 325 people have been infected worldwide. This is an extremely low rate of infection. However, human health officials are concerned with the greater than 50 percent mortality rate of people that have been infected.

No poultry or poultry products from countries affected with the H5N1 avian flu are legally allowed to enter the United States.

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.

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.

Migratory birds usually travel the same routes in their annual migrations. In the Northern Hemisphere, birds begin moving south during August and September of each year. North American migratory birds that over-winter in Asia may come into contact with potentially infected domestic or wild birds during the winter months. In spring, migratory birds will migrate north to their breeding grounds in eastern Russia, Alaska, and Canada.

Scientists cannot say that there will definitely be an outbreak in the United States, although most believe that it will happen. It is not possible to predict an exact date. Scientists have identified a number of events that they would expect to see as we approach an outbreak and they have already observed many of them. Therefore, it is wise to start preparing now.

Currently, CDC restricts birds from countries where highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 is present in poultry, in order to prevent the introduction of Avian Influenza. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) implements regulations regarding the importation of birds. To import a pet bird of non-U.S.