Flu Terms:
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory
illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some
immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu (AI) is caused by
influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic
AI is common in birds and causes few problems. H5N1 is highly
pathogenic, deadly to domestic fowl, and can be transmitted from birds
to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that
causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there
is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to
person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
