Avian Influenza and Food

October 2020

Summary

Avian Influenza (‘bird flu’) is a viral disease of birds with naturally occurring avian influenza Type A viruses. These viruses are globally widespread in aquatic birds (from the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes) such as shorebirds and waterfowl and are highly contagious.  Avian influenza can infect all species of domestic and wild birds as well as mammals such as pigs, pet and zoo animals. To date, no avian influenza viruses have demonstrated sustained human-to-human transmission.