While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. The only documented cases of transmission to humans are from poultry; these cases include both highly pathogenic and low pathogenic strains of avian influenza. the present time, close contact with infected domestic poultry has been the primary way that people have become infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus.

People infected with the current strand of the avian virus (H5N1) have shown everything from typical human influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other life-threatening complications. Symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which specific virus subtype and strain caused the infection. Experts believe it highly unlikely that a pandemic influenza virus could be created by terrorists.

Two main risks for human health from avian influenza are 1) the risk of direct infection when the virus passes from the infected bird to humans, sometimes resulting in severe disease; and 2) the risk that the virus - if given enough opportunities - will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person.

Avian influenza, or "bird flu" or "avian flu" is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens and ducks, very sick and kill them.

Avian influenza is an animal disease and dangerous mainly for birds. It is not very dangerous for humans. There are many different avian influenza viruses, most of which are completely harmless for humans. The avian influenza virus H5N1, which has now also been found in Germany, can infect humans. However, this happens very rarely and only in people who have intensive contact with infected poultry, in other words farmers and poultry breeders.

It is possible for a human to acquire the H5N1 HPAI virus from another infected human if there is extremely close contact. However, scientists say that the virus has not yet developed the ability to pass easily from human to human, and human-to-human transmission is extremely unlikely.

Not yet. It is possible that a vaccine using the H5N1 strain of influenza may give partial protection if that strain changes and spreads more easily among humans. Prototypes of an H5N1 vaccine are being developed by several manufacturers around the world, including Australia's domestic manufacturer, CSL Limited. The government is committed to buying a substantial amount of H5N1 vaccine as soon as it is proven safe and effective.

There is no evidence to date that cats can spread H5N1 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 influenza A (H5N1) infections in cats reported to date appear to have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through ingestion of raw infected meat.

The current anti-viral treatments, which are used successfully in the treatment of influenza, would be used in the treatment of avian influenza. There is evidence that the H5N1 influenza virus strain - Avian Flu or Bird Flue - is susceptible to the Tamiflu antiviral drug. World governments are expanding stockpiles of Tamiflu against the contingency of a flu pandemic. With the increased demand for Tamiflu, we are offering Tamiflu for purchase online with free prescriptions to cope with shortages.

There is no vaccine for humans against avian flu. The vaccine against human influenza virus does not protect against avian flu.

The initial symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of other influenza viruses, including fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, cough and sore throat. However, it is more likely to result in high fever, chest infection, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death.

Avian influenza is transmitted from infected live birds to humans. Human-to-human transmission is inefficient. Outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry have recently been reported in some Asian and European countries, and some cases of human infection have been reported. Hong Kong has an effective surveillance system for influenza in birds and humans. The Department of Health has been closely monitoring the situation and has adopted appropriate preventive measures to guard against the disease.

While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. There is currently no indication that waterfowl or other wild birds hunted in the United States carry HPAI H5N1. While experts believe the risk to hunters is currently low, scientists cannot guarantee that there is no risk. It is always wise to practice good hygiene when handling or cleaning any wild game.

Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.

Although cats are not usually susceptible to influenza type A infections, results of a research study published in September 20041 demonstrated that domestic cats can become infected with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and are capable of transmitting the virus to other cats. In February 2006, authorities in Germany reported that a domestic cat had died from H5N1 HPAI infection.