Exposure of poultry to migratory waterfowl and the international movement of poultry, poultry equipment, and people pose risks for introducing Avian Influenza into U.S. poultry. Once introduced, the disease can be spread from bird to bird by direct contact. Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997, but have not resulted in sustained human-to-human transmission.
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More information aboutbird flu in animals from USDA.
Information about the precautions to prevent human to human transmissionis available from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).