H5N1 (Bird Flu) | Flu.gov

H5N1 (Bird Flu)

•H5N1 (Bird) flu remains a serious concern with the potential to cause a deadly pandemic. H5N1 (Bird) flu is an influenza A virus subtype that is highly contagious among birds. Rare but lethal human infections with the H5N1 (Bird) flu virus have occurred.


•Humans have little or no immunity to the H5N1 (Bird) Flu. Since November 2003, over 500 cases of human infection with H5N1 (Bird) flu viruses have been reported by more than a dozen countries. Some 60% have died.


•H5N1 (Bird) flu infection in humans is very rare and has never been detected in the United States. To prevent infection with H5N1 (Bird) flu, take precautions when visiting areas known to have H5N1. Avoid close contact with infected birds or their surroundings.


•The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 (Bird) flu and monitoring the threat of an H5N1 (Bird) flu pandemic.


What is H5N1 (Bird) flu?

•H5N1 (Bird) flu virus is an influenza A virus subtype that is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. The H5N1 (Bird) flu virus does not usually infect people, but rare infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Nearly all human cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces.

•Symptoms of the H5N1 (Bird) flu virus in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of H5N1 (Bird) flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.



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H5N1 (Bird Flu) | Flu.gov