Quick Facts About Bird Flu

• Bird flu is also known as avian influenza or avian flu.
• Avian influenza is a contagious disease affecting birds which is caused by type A strains of the influenza virus.
• There are three types of influenza viruses - A, B, and C.
• Influenza A and B viruses are of concern for human health because of the risks of pandemics and seasonal epidemics.
• Influenza C only causes mild problems in humans.
• Only influenza A viruses can cause pandemics.
• Avian influenza affects many bird species, whether wild or domestic poultry and occurs any part of the world.
• It is believed that all birds are susceptible to infection with avian influenza viruses, yet many wild bird species carry these viruses with no visible signs of danger.
• Eating canned poultry products such as chicken essence is safe because the products undergo a heat process that effectively destroys any viruses.
• Symptoms of bird flu in humans are fever, breathing difficulties, chest pains, headaches, runny nose, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat and conjunctivitis (eye infections).
• It usually takes at least four months to develop new vaccines against the flu viruses.

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