In 2003, the highly pathogenic H5N1 form of avian influenza was first detected in South East Asia . Since then the virus has been spreading first throughout Asia and in early 2006 it arrived in Europe, Africa and the Middle East .  The animal health industry has an important role to play in helping to combat this disease by supplying vaccines that protect birds against the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus and products to control disease vectors. There is no one single solution to successfully combating avian influenza, instead a combination of three types of measures should be used in conjunction with each other, namely biosecurity and surveillance activities, "stamping out" or culling of infected birds and preventative and/or emergency vaccination of birds.

IFAH has produced a set of regularly updated FAQs designed to answer the common questions that surround avian influenza. It is important not to confuse avian influenza (“bird flu”) with the seasonal influenza that infects humans every year.

• Click on the link to know the answers to the most frequently asked questions about avian influenza or click here to download the document "Most Frequently Asked Questions about avian influenza"
  
  
• Click on the link to learn about the role of the animal health industry in avian influenza or click here to download the document "The role of the Animal Health Industry in avian influenza"
  
  
• Click on the link to find out more about avian influenza vaccination or click here to download the document "Avian Influenza vaccination"
  
  
• Click on the link to see useful links related to avian influenza