Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

There have been reports of the bird flu in North America, but it is a different strain that is not as dangerous as the H5N1 virus. So far the deadly virus H5N1 has yet to show up in America. But experts say they wouldn't be surprised if it does. It could come from a wild bird that will carry it in from Asia or Europe as they head back north in the spring to nesting grounds in the Arctic. It may arrive first in far western Canada, Alaska, parts of the U.S.

To help prevent its spread, many Governments and health officials are working hard to bring about a greater civilian awareness of the dangers of avian flu and the importance of swift precautionary action when new cases are identified or infections suspected in both birds and/or humans.

Migratory water fowl- the wild ducks carry the virus but do not suffer from disease. Epidemics of bird flu occur when domesticated birds like chicken or turkey come in contact with wild ducks carrying the virus. Bird flu may start as a mild illness but after some months due to changes in the virus may become serious and kill nearly all the affected birds.

There is no evidence that bird flu is a risk to dogs. Recently, there have been reports of a canine influenza virus in the U.S. but this is a different flu virus that affects only dogs. There is evidence from the Asian outbreak that the bird flu virus might affect cats fed raw poultry, but there is currently no cause for concern because the virus is not present in the U.S.

Bird Flu" or Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can classified as either low pathogenic (low mortality) or high pathogenic (up to 100% mortality). Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza like the common flu in humans is a common annual event in birds. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza like the H5N1 virus circulating in Asia, Europe, and Africa is less common.

There is no evidence that cats can spread the bird flu virus to humans. No cases of avian influenza in humans have been linked to exposure to sick cats, and no outbreaks among populations of cats have been reported. All of the bird flu infections in cats have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through eating raw meat from an infected bird.

present there is no indication for spread of bird flu from one human being to the other However, this can happen in future. The influenza virus type A and its various subtypes can in the presence of another influenza virus merge with it through mixing and reassortment. This can lead to appearance of a new virus with characteristics that are different from the parent viruses. Since the population has no immunity to the new virus subtype it can appear as a serious life threatening disease.

Control measures include rapid destruction ("culling" or "stamping out") of all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcasses, quarantining and rigorous disinfection of farms, biosecurity enhancement, public awareness campaign, surveillance and monitoring, research and development, national and international coordination with agencies, and public health interventions. Another control measure is to restrict movement of live poultry, both within and between countries.

It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far.

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces (droppings). Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions.

The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after getting sick.

The avian influenza virus must change. The virus can change to become more contagious among humans in two ways. The first is a "reassortment" event, in which genetic material is exchanged between human and avian viruses during co-infection of a human or pig. Reassortment could result in a fully contagious pandemic virus.

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Question: What is the risk to humans from bird flu? The risk of H5N1 is considered quite low for most people.

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).