What is it: there are believed to be at least 15 different types of avian flu that routinely infect birds around the world. The current outbreak is caused by a strain known as H5N1, which is highly contagious among birds and rapidly fatal. Unfortunately, unlike many other strains of avian flu, it can be transmitted to humans, causing severe illness and death.

How do I get it: human cases have been blamed on direct contact with infected chickens and their droppings. People who catch the virus from birds can pass it on to other humans, although the disease is generally milder in those who caught it from an infected person rather than from birds.

What happens if I get it: bird flu can cause a range of symptoms in humans – some patients report fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Others suffer from eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and other severe and life-threatening complications.

Diagnose and treatment: flu drugs exist that may be used both to prevent people from catching bird flu and to treat those who have it. Currently there is no vaccine, although scientists are working to develop one.

How can I avoid contracting rabies: the World Health Organization recommends that infected or exposed flocks of chickens and other birds be killed in order to help prevent further spread of the virus and reduce opportunities for human infection. However, the agency warns that safety measures must be taken to prevent exposure to the virus among workers involved in culling.