Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. Infected birds shed the influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans; however, more than 200 confirmed cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997 outside the United States. These individuals have had direct contact with wild and domestic birds. At the current time, this virus is not able to spread easily from person-to-person. If the virus develops this ability over time, there is a potential for it to cause a global outbreak of influenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Visit the WHO Avian influenza web page for information about the evolving situation and useful information.
BWH has formed a Pandemic Influenza Task Force to create a hospital plan outlining the steps the hospital would take in preparation of and in response to pandemic influenza. The plan will focus on communication with city and state officials, communication within the BWH community, issues related to patient care and isolation, and distribution of vaccine and antibiotics.
About our experts (for media purposes):
Infection control specialist, Deborah Yokoe, MD, in BWH's Infectious Disease department, is available to discuss issues related to recent avian flu concerns.
Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Social Medicine and Health Inequalities at BWH and former official at the WHO can discuss issues related to preparedness and effective public health response to pandemic influenza.
Other informative web sites include:
Avian influenza frequently asked questions from the WHO.
The Avian influenza fact sheet from the WHO.
The latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Information from US Agencies
US Department of Health and Human Services
US Department of the Interior Avian Influenza Page
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Avian Influenza
National Wildlife Health Center
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