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Section 1. Avian Influenza Facts

What is Avian Influenza?

Avian is another word for bird.
bird


Influenza, or flu, is a type of virus that causes disease in many different animals and people. A virus is a tiny germ that replicates, or copies itself, inside living cells.
  • Avian influenza, or AI, is caused by type A influenza virus.
  • The avian flu virus is different from the flu virus that normally makes people sick.
 
Influenza Virus
H1N1
CDC Image Library: Cynthia Goldsmith