Frequently asked questions on avian influenza (prepared by the Health Protection Agency; Health Protection Scotland)

Background

Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. While all bird species are thought to be susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly cause epidemics in poultry.

It often causes little or no disease in wild waterfowl but sometimes causes large outbreaks associated with high mortality in poultry. In these instances the term 'highly pathogenic avian influenza' (HPAI) is used. This form, which was first recognized in Italy in 1878, is extremely contagious in birds and rapidly fatal, with a mortality approaching 100%. Birds can die on the same day that symptoms first appear. Outbreaks in poultry may spread rapidly.

 

Where do I go for information on...

• Pandemic influenza - refer to the Health Protection Agency's frequently asked questions on pandemic influenza
• Avian influenza, wild birds and poultry, and the countryside - refer to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) including Defra's key points on avian influenza
• Avian influenza and the environment - refer to the Environment Agency
• Avian influenza, public parks and open water - refer to guidance produced by the Health Protection Agency (PDF, 137 KB)
  
  on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The Royal Parks
• Food safety, including handling, cooking and eating poultry meat and eggs - refer to the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
• Travel to countries outside the UK that have reported incidents of avian flu - refer to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or the Department of Health 'Advice to travellers' page
• Travel, overseas relations and foreign affairs - refer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
• Preparing yourself and your family for a pandemic or other emergency - refer to the Preparing for Emergencies website
• Health and safety in the workplace, including advice on personal protective equipment for avian influenza incidents - refer to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Preparing UK businesses for an emergency -- refer to the UK Resilience website
• Human health related aspects of avian influenza and pandemic influenza - refer to the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Outbreaks and incidents of avian influenza in wild birds and poultry across the world - refer to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
• Worldwide advice on food and agriculture and avian flu - refer to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)

• Avian influenza viruses
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Control measures in birds
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Food safety
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Human infection
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Pandemic influenza
  Added/updated: 20 August 2008
  
• Symptoms of avian influenza infection
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• The current situation
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008
  
• Travel advice
  Added/updated: 31 December 2008
  
• Vaccines and antiviral drugs
  Added/updated: 13 August 2008