Even though cooking poultry kills the viruses that cause avian influenza, traces can linger on the utensils you used. Thoroughly sterilize everything that touched the uncooked poultry, including knives, counter tops, cutting boards and your hands....
The avian flu, or "bird flu," is the H5N1 virus found commonly in wild birds and domesticated fowl. The disease is highly contagious among birds but, according to the CDC, relatively rare in humans. Most cases of infection in humans have resulted...
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by an individualized strain of the influenza virus. The Mayo Clinic explains that bird flu is not often contracted by people, but, when it is, it can be deadly, with over...
Since 1996, avian influenza, or bird flu, has affected several hundred people worldwide via infectious transmission from birds to humans. While many patients suffer only transitory health effects, the World Health Organization reports that more...
The avian influenza virus causes the bird flu infection. Although different types of avian influenza exist, the avian influenza A (H5N1) type is unique in that it can infect humans. Bird flu infections in humans occur through close contact with...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an influenza A virus known to infect chickens. The infection can spread to humans but the risk is low. Also known as the H5N1 virus, a lab...
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease caused by viruses. A bird flu virus subtype, H5N1 virus, is highly contagious and often deadly among birds. Outbreaks of H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia during late 2003...
If you're a poultry farmer, or if you're in regular contact with wild birds or live poultry, you must watch out for suspicious cases of bird sickness or death. You can play a key role in controlling an outbreak of avian influenza if you know what...
Warnings about bird flu, or avian influenza, apply mostly to people who travel internationally or work with birds or poultry. In rare cases around the world, birds have given people this disease. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and...
Avian flu caused immense public concern in 2009 when outbreaks in Asia, Africa and Europe prompted researchers to double their efforts to find a vaccine. The virus originates in birds, and is responsible for high levels of contagion and death...
Infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, can spread disease from one living being to another. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus that occurs naturally among birds, according to the...
The symptoms of avian influenza, or bird flu, are similar to those of the normal flu virus. Avian influenza, also known as type A, naturally occurs among wild birds. It can be found in the intestines of wild birds, but does not kill them. When...
Bird flu is a general term that describes any form of influenza that can infect birds (avians). According to the Center for Disease Control, most forms of bird flu are not dangerous, even for birds. In fact, many wild birds carry around strains of...
Human cases of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, are caused by influenza A viruses that normally infect birds. Sporadic human cases of bird flu have been reported since 1997. Most cases have occurred in Asia, caused by the H5N1 virus. Bird...
The influenza virus causes a communicable disease that affects the upper respiratory system, notes MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Type A influenza, type B influenza and type C...
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu or H5N1, is a strain of influenza that primarily affects birds; however, the illness can also affect humans. H5N1 is classified as a type A influenza virus, which means that it is responsible for global...
Raccoons, also known as procyon lotor, are common animals widely distributed throughout the United States and North America. In a 2009 article in the journal "Avian Diseases," the authors describe the role of wild raccoons in spreading the H3N6...
The flu, also called influenza, is a medical illness characterized by infection of the respiratory tract. Similar to, but typically more severe than, the common cold, influenza symptoms include fever, cough, malaise, fatigue, sore throat,...
Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is an infectious disease of birds. Different subtypes of the Influenza A virus cause this flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most of the viral subtypes are only able to...
Influenza, also known as the flu, is classified into three types, A, B and C, reports the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Type A influenza is the most severe and is found in animals and humans. Type B influenza is found in...
Bird flu has led to the deaths of hundreds of millions of wild and domestic birds and to a small number of human deaths. Bird flu remains difficult for humans to contract. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of bird flu in...