Avian Influenza:
Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avian influenza, though some species are more resistant to infection than others. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide.
Avian influenza viruses do not normally infect species other than birds and pigs. Although avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans, more than 100 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. To date, there have been no cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in the United States.
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Avian flu fact sheet
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Animal Health
Human Health
Pandemic Flu:
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic
occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there
is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to
cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person
worldwide.
Historically, the 20th century saw 3 pandemics of influenza:
- 1918 influenza pandemic caused at least 500,000 U.S. deaths
and up to 40 million deaths worldwide
- 1957 influenza pandemic caused at least 70,000 U.S. deaths
and 1-2 million deaths worldwide
- 1968 influenza pandemic caused about 34,000 U.S. deaths
and 700,000 deaths worldwide
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Avian Influenza(Bird Flu)