Avian influenza, commonly called "bird flu", is an infection caused by viruses found in birds. Bird flu strains can also cause illness in people. One strain of bird flu, the H5N1 virus, is present in much of Asia and has recently spread to birds in Europe. This virus has not been found in Maine, but experts predict that it could reach North American birds by the end of the year.
So far, the spread of bird flu from person to person has been extremely limited. But because all flu viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that this strain could eventually be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. We don’t know for sure whether that will happen – or when it might happen. But if it does, the result could be a global influenza outbreak, or what is called a pandemic.
Additonal Information
Avian influenza fact sheet (UMaine Cooperative Extension)
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention avian influenza web page
World Health Organization avian influenza information
