Avian Influenza
Alternate Terms:
AI, bird flu, avian flu, influenza A, AIV, H5N1
A highly contagious viral infection that spreads among migratory and domesticated birds and can significantly impact domestic poultry and other animal species. Because influenza viruses can mutate and reassort, potentially giving rise to new strains, outbreaks must be closely monitored to evaluate the risk to animal and human health. Rapid detection, surveillance, and control measures are crucial to managing and preventing spread.