Bird Flu: Is a Pandemic Looming in Our Future?
Outbreaks of Avian influenza A viruses (gold particles) in humans have been reported since 1997.
CDC\Cynthia Goldsmith
Influenzas, commonly referred to as "the flu," are contagious diseases caused by influenza viruses, types A, B, or C. Influenza Type A viruses, with varying degrees of virulence, can infect humans, birds, pigs, horses, and other animals. Type B influenza viruses normally infect only humans, but have not caused pandemics (global outbreaks of disease). Type C influenza viruses cause only mild illness in humans.