Avian flu (also known as ‘bird flu’) has affected poultry flocks and other types of bird in several Asian countries since 2003. There is no firm evidence that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person (rather than from birds to humans). However, it is possible that the virus could mutate or mix with other human flu viruses to create a new virus that can be transmitted from human to human. It is this ability of avian flu to change and mix that has given rise to the fear of a new pandemic of flu in humans.
The University of Bristol is considering how best to prepare for the possibility of a pandemic, drawing on the best available scientific advice and its experience in dealing with outbreaks of infectious disease.
For information and advice, please read our avian flu questions and answers page.