This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM provides the best collection available anywhere of official Federal government information and documents on the subject of bird (avian) influenza, domestic poultry, wild birds, and killer influenza pandemics. It includes the latest information on the H5N1 virus which could produce a devastating pandemic similar to the 1918 Spanish Flu which killed tens of millions around the globe. This CD-ROM uses next-generation search technology that allows complete indexing and makes all files on the disc fully searchable.

This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and other agencies. It includes comprehensive coverage of the "Biosecurity for the Birds" program.

Worldwide, there are many strains of the avian influenza (AI) virus, which can cause varying degrees of illness in poultry. AI viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl as well as a wide variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl also are known to carry the less infectious strains of AI viruses. Each year there is a flu season for birds just as there is for humans and, as with people, some forms of the flu are worse than others. AI strains are divided into two groups: low pathogenicity (LP) and high pathogenicity (HP). LPAI, or "low path" avian influenza, has existed in the United States since the early 1900's and is commonly found here. It causes birds to become ill and can be fatal to them. These strains of the disease pose no known serious threat to human health. HPAI, or "high path" avian influenza, is fatal and more easily transmissible. HPAI is the type currently affecting parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. These strains of the disease in Asia have been transmitted from birds to humans, most of whom had extensive, direct contact with infected birds. HPAI has been detected three times in the United States: in 1924, 1983 and 2004. The 2004 outbreak was quickly confined to one flock and eradicated. There were no human illnesses reported in connection with these outbreaks.

To encourage producers to report sick birds, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts an outreach campaign called "Biosecurity for the Birds." It provides backyard and smaller poultry producers with the latest information on biosecurity, in several languages, to prevent the spread of this disease on the farm. Additional surveillance efforts specifically target the live bird markets. USDA works closely with the industry to randomly test commercial flocks as well as testing birds that show signs of illness. USDA scientists also have been testing wild migratory birds since 1998 in the Alaska flyway. APHIS also maintains an AI vaccine supply for poultry that can be used to create a buffer around an identified area, in the event of a large outbreak among poultry, to contain the disease while it is in the process of being eradicated. In addition, the agency has formed a national network of personnel to assist with surveillance and response in the event of an outbreak of HPAI or other foreign animal disease. That network includes more than 40,000 accredited private veterinarians who report any suspected disease outbreak to federal or state officials.

This disc has nearly 18,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software and Reader software is included. Advanced search and indexing features are built into our reproduction, providing a complete full-text index. This enables the user to search all the files on the disk at one time for words or phrases using just one search command! The Acrobat cataloging technology adds enormous value and uncommon functionality to this impressive collection of government documents and material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, comprehensive, and portable!