What is the flu?
How Does Seasonal Flu Differ From Pandemic Flu?
How are Pandemic, Avian and Seasonal Flu different?
Pandemic Flu
Currently there is no pandemic flu. A flu pandemic is a global outbreak that occurs when a new influenza A virus causes serious human illness and spreads easily from person to person.
Avian Flu
Bird flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the “highly pathogenic” form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100%, often within 48 hours.
Seasonal Flu
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza
viruses.