Avian Influenza: Making sense of bird and human flu viruses

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Public Health
Seattle & King County
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Seattle, WA 98104

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	Home » Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza
Making sense of bird and human flu viruses

Understanding Avian Influenza
Avian (or bird) flu: a disease caused by avian influenza viruses that occurs naturally among birds. They cause disease in infected birds that ranges from mild or asymptomatic to severe illness and death. In rare cases, it can be transmitted from birds to humans.

Pandemic Flu
A pandemic flu is a new influenza virus that could be a much more serious flu virus than seen in a typical flu season. Different from the typical strains of flu, humans would have no or little natural resistance to a new strain of influenza.

Seasonal Flu
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus which infects many parts of the body, including the lungs. Someone who has the flu spreads the virus by sneezing, coughing, or even talking. Flu may be transmitted by direct hand contact.

The differences between avian flu, seasonal flu and pandemic flu

External links:

	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Avian Flu
	Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Pandemic Flu pages
	World Health Organization (WHO) on Avian Influenza
	United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Avian Influenza
	Public Health – Seattle & King County Pandemic Flu pages
	USGS National Wildlife Health Center

see also

Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! Learn about respiratory etiquette, watch public service announcements, play the "Catch That Cough!" game and get free posters.

West Nile Virus facts

Learn what King County is doing to prevent West Nile Virus from becoming a problem.

Epi-Log Newsletter

Articles about recent outbreaks, vaccination programs, cases of unusual infectious diseases, and background articles on new and emerging infectious diseases.

Updated: Friday, November 17, 2006 at 03:47 PM

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