FreeMD® Bird Flu: Definition

Bird Flu

Definition

Definition

Common names:

Asian Bird Flu
Avian Bird Flu
Avian Flu
Avian Influenza
Bird Flu
Influenza Avian
Influenza Bird

A person with Bird flu has an infection of the lungs caused by a strain of type A influenza virus.

The avian influenza virus infects birds, such as chickens, ducks and turkeys. Many influenza viruses that occur in animals do not infect humans, but the avian influenza virus does.

Related Topics:

Arbovirus infection
Influenza
SARS
West Nile virus
More...

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Last Updated: Dec 26, 2007 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Update: Influenza activity--United States and worldwide, 2004-05 season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005 Jul 1;54(25):631-4.
Curran R. Asian bird flu. Emerg Med Serv. 2004 May;33(5):38-9.
Trampuz A, Prabhu RM, Smith TF, Baddour LM. Avian influenza: a new pandemic threat? Mayo Clin Proc. 2004 Apr;79(4):523-30.
Ungchusak K, Auewarakul P, Dowell SF, et al. Probable person-to-person transmission of avian influenza A (H5N1). N Engl J Med. 2005 Jan 27;352(4):333-40.