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Bird Flu

Influenza viruses that infect birds are called avian influenza viruses, or bird flu. Bird flu occurs naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the virus in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from it. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Although bird flu does not usually infect humans, people sometimes do get sick from bird flu. Recently, there have been reports in the news of a strain of bird flu, H5N1, which has infected over 100 people, primarily in Asia.

For more information about bird flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

Adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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