AAHA Addresses Avian Influenza

AAHA has collaborated with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the Cornell Feline Health Center, the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), and the National Association of State and Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV), along with other organizations, to answer frequently asked questions about avian influenza. This information was designed to address the concerns of pet owners, the general public, veterinary professionals, the media, governmental agencies and the animal welfare community, and can be found on the AVMA website.

Issues that have been addressed include:

• The nature of avian influenza
• How avian influenza is transmitted
• How animals can “shed” the virus before clinical signs are observed
• The stability of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in the environment
• Concerns about the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and its potential to cause a problem in the United States
• Measures being taken to stop avian influenza from spreading

Other topics include avian influenza and its impact on humans and companion animals, and areas of special interest to veterinarians and physician colleagues.