Health Advice - Avian Flu

Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by influenza viruses closely related to human influenza viruses. Transmission to humans in close contact with poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some strains of avian influenza. The potential for transformation of avian influenza into a form that both causes severe disease in humans and spreads easily from person to person is a great concern for world health.

The Health Protection Agency is working with others to protect the UK public from the threat of avian influenza and raise awareness about the disease. Staff across the Agency, particularly in the Local and Regional Services Division (LARS), are working with colleagues such as the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to prepare in case avian influenza is detected in UK poultry or birds.