Food Safety - Avian Influenza (AI) Avian Influenza (AI) is an infection caused by bird flu viruses, which naturally occur among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, AI is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. The strain that is currently being reported in Asia and Europe is AI H5N1. The Facts About Avian Influenza Brochure - New consumer brochure on Poultrysafety.org. Information for Employees Working in the Meat and Poultry Industry - This brochure from the American Meat Institute (AMI) provides information for employees working in poultry plants and grow-out operations. USDA, DOI and HHS Expand Screening for Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza in Migratory Birds - A USDA news release on the interagency readiness plans. USDA Efforts and Response to Avian Influenza in the United States - A news release from the USDA on the response to the AI outbreak and their efforts to control the disease. Questions and Answers: Avian Influenza - The USDA's question and answer document on AI. USDA Transcript of the Technical Briefing Regarding Avian Influenza - "Avian Influenza 101" Technical Briefing from the USDA. USDA's Avian Influenza Website Resource - Bird flu information from the USDA containing fact sheets and disease alerts. U.S. Government's Pandemic Flu Site - The government launched this resource to equip Americans with accurate information on how to protect themselves and their families from a pandemic, and inform them about the government's preparations for AI. U.S. Poultry Industry Organizations Website - U.S. poultry industry organizations have launched a new website to respond to any public concern that may occur over bird flu, highlighting the fact that avian influenza is not a food issue and that highly pathogenic AI does not exist in the United States. Avian Influenza Fact Sheet - The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) fact sheet provides general information about bird flu and information about avian influenza A (H5N1) that is infecting birds in Asia and has infected some humans. Avian Influenza Information from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations - A website resource from the FAO containing everything from general information on AI to the Epidemiology of the disease. Avian Influenza Frequently Asked Questions - A question and answer document from the World Health Organization on AI.