Department of Health

Health Alert
Health Awareness Topics

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Many birds around the world are getting sick from H5N1 avian influenza. This is known as "bird flu." Experts think the bird flu will come to the United States, maybe even as early as this year. However, it is not here yet.

Bird flu is hard for people to catch.
Most people who become sick with bird flu came into contact with sick chickens or ducks and touched them with bare hands.
Meat that is thoroughly cooked cannot give a person bird flu.

The avain influenze presentation is to help clarify the differences bewteen seasonal influenza and avian influenza. The presentation also, describes measures that individual families can take if there is ever any type of pandemic influenza. Please click on the link below to view the PDF version of this presentation.

PDF forms are the best quality for viewing and printing documents. PDF downloads require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader may be downloaded for free by clicking on the Adobe icon.

For more information about avian influenza visit the following links:

NYS Department of Health

World Health Organization

Center for Disease Control and Prevention