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.