Question: Is Bird Flu and Avian Bird Flu and Avian Influenza All the Same Virus?
In the media we can read about bird flu, avian bird flu, avian flu, avian influenza, Influenza A H5N1 and the H5N1 virus. How do we know which disease we are reading about?
Answer:
Bird flu is a the common expression currently used in the media to express the H5N1 subtype of the influenza A virus found in birds that has managed to infect humans starting in 1997.
In fact, different strains of bird flu, or avian bird flu, have been infecting birds for at least one hundred years. Bird flu is usually only found in birds, but some subtypes, such as the H5N1 subtype have also been found in pigs, domestic and wild cats, dogs, other mammals, and now, in humans.
Related Links:
- Dogs and Bird Flu
- Cats and Bird Flu
- High Pathogenic Avian Influenza vs. Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- Should I Take Bird Flu Seriously?