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What is Avian Influenza?
Avian Influenza or the “bird flu” is a disease usually affecting the bird population, caused by the group of viruses called the Avian Flu virus. The current bird flu is caused by the H5N1 strain of the Avian Flu virus.

What is the concern?
Although traditionally affecting only the bird population (chicken, duck, migratory birds, etc), avian flu has been found in humans who have been in close contact with sick birds. Moreover, once a person has been infected, the mortality rate is fairly high, ranging from 50-75%. Statistics are still being gathered regarding the death rate at this time.

Another concern involves the spread of the disease. At this time, it is believed that only persons who come into close contact with sick birds become infected, because the virus does not spread from person to person easily. However, the virus mutates frequently and if it mutates into a form that spreads easily from person to person, then there is a chance that many people will become infected.

If this were to happen, then the much feared pandemic will occur. In the pandemics in the past, 25-35% of the world’s population has become infected.

In which countries have human cases of Avian Flu been found? How about in Vietnam?
Avian flu is most prevalent in Indonesia, Indochina and the Indian subcontinent. It spreads from these areas by migrating birds all over Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean.

lthough there have been reports of a 4 year old child dying from Avian Flu recently in northern Vietnam, it is still quite rare to have human to human transmission of the diseases.

Is it safe to eat poultry and eggs?
Since Avian Flu has only been confirmed to be transmitted through close contact with infected birds or consuming infected poultry, we recommend that all poultry products be cooked thoroughly. Eggs that are well cooked are safe to eat, but the yolk should not be runny.

Prevention is the key!
Receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for anyone living in areas threatened by Avian Flu.