What is it? Bird Flu is called flu as it is an influenza which is an infectious disease. The influenza A virus comes from migratory birds in the wild to domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl and pet birds.

In all  cases of humans with bird flu, that have been reported, the person who got the flu was in close contact with domesticated birds.

Why are people so concerned about bird flu? Because if it is not controlled it could change into a highly infectious virus. This could lead to a worldwide outbreak of disease called a pandemic.

In the past pandemics have led to high levels of illness and death. The 1918 pandemic  killed over 40 million people

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Breaking News - Human Avian Influenza Cases

Confirmed human cases

CIDRAP Up to date news articles world wide

Flu trackers forum - Bird Flu in the Media breaking news from every country - (the current one to watch is Bangkok) with Interviews, opinions, blogs, news links, conferences, & webcasts Flu trackers forum

Flu wiki is a large collaborative site with current confirmed cases of human bird flu with maps, scientific information, public safety, legal and ethical issues, pandemic information and preparedness.Flu wiki

msnbc infectious diseases Bird flu News

Pandemic influenza (flu) Information for the general public––looking after yourself in a pandemic includes What is a pandemic?  How does it spread?  Can it kill people? Prevention and control.  What to do if your sick.  What to do if a chld is sick.  Department of Human Services, Victoria