Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza is a disease common to birds (and pigs, to a lesser extent) that can be fatal to humans without immunity. There are low pathogenic and high pathogenic strains of the disease. Among poultry, the low pathogenic form is fairly benign - only leading to minor symptoms among birds, where the high pathogenic form spreads very rapidly and can damage internal organs. It is believed that migratory birds have spread the H5N1 virus, the agent that causes avian influenza. Contact with the infected animals or any objects they may have contaminated is what will directly lead to a person's contracting avian influenza.