Avian Influenza

Avian fl u is infecting mammals and animals as well. The primary source of human infections is direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments [2]. Infl uenza A virus may be categorized as avian infl uenza, swine infl uenza, or other animal infl uenza viruses, depending on the hostsource . Examples include subtypes A(H9N2) and A(H5N1) of avian infl uenza “bird fl u” or subtypes A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) of swine infl uenza virus. All these Type A animal infl uenza viruses are different from human infl uenza viruses and do not spread readily among animals. Highly pathogenic avian infl uenza (HPAI) is named poultry viruses that cause severe disease and result in elevated mortality levels. Low pathogenic avian infl uenza (LPAI) is called viruses in poultry that cause mild disease [3].