Avian influenza known informally as avian flu or bird flu refers to "influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds.

First identified in 1930s . There are 3 major types of influenza: Type A, B, and C Influenza A infects both mammals and birds and can cause epidemic as well as pandemic
Influenza B and C infects only humans

 Outbreak of human cases from birds in Hong Kong in 1997. A/HK/156/97 (H5N1). Current epidemic since 2003. More than 140 millions of birds were culled (slaughtered and disposed of) to protect humans from H5N1. Thirteen countries across Asia and Europe have been affected.

Etiologic Agent
Avian Influenza (AI) Virus - Belongs to Influenzavirus A, a genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family, and are negative-stranded and segmented.

Species infected by influenza A

H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 N 1, N 2

H8 H9 H10 H11 H12 H14 H15,16

13

N 3, N 4, N 5, N 6

Mode of Transmission
1. Spreads in air and in manure. Wild fowl often act as resistant carriers, spreading it to more susceptible