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Avian influenza: guidance, data and analysis

The symptoms, diagnosis, management and epidemiology of avian influenza (bird flu).

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 30 August 2014
• Last updated: 29 June 2023 — See all updates

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by the influenza A virus. Birds are the hosts for most avian influenza viruses and a variety of influenza subtypes can be found in birds, particularly in water fowl and shore birds. Domestic poultry are especially vulnerable and the virus can rapidly cause epidemics in flocks.

Human infections with avian influenza are rare. However, some viruses, such as H5N1 or H7N9, have been associated with human disease.

The symptoms of avian influenza in humans vary considerably depending on the strain or subtype of the virus involved. Most infections take the form of a flu-like illness (fever, cough, body or muscle pain, sore throat, runny nose). Other symptoms can include conjunctivitis (red, sore and discharging eyes).

Information on the different strains of influenza virus can be found on our health protection archive website.

The Defra website has information and guidance on:

• the latest avian flu situation
• how to spot avian flu, including what to do if you suspect it
• measures to prevent it

Further information on avian influenza in humans is available on the WHO website.

The UN World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) provides regular updates on avian influenza in animals.

For advice on working with avian influenza virus in laboratory or birds, see the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Communications to health professionals

• Avian influenza: recognising risk exposures among symptomatic persons with recent international travel
  • 18 November 2021
  • Guidance

Diagnosis and management

Advice for travellers and useful information for clinicians is available on the National Travel and Health Network Centre (NaTHNaC) website and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

• Avian influenza: guidance for managing human cases
  • 28 February 2024
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza: guidance and algorithms for managing incidents in birds
  • 1 February 2024
  • Guidance

Epidemiology and risk assessments

• Asymptomatic Avian Influenza Surveillance Study protocol
  • 29 June 2023
  • Guidance
• HAIRS risk assessment: avian influenza A(H5N1) in non-avian UK species
  • 27 July 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Avian influenza (influenza A H5N1): risk to human health
  • 25 July 2024
  • Research and analysis
• Avian influenza A(H5N1): risk assessment
  • 31 January 2023
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza (influenza A H5N1): technical briefings
  • 14 July 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Risk assessment of avian influenza A(H9N2)
  • 9 August 2021
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza A(H7N4): risk assessment
  • 17 July 2020
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza A(H5N8): risk assessment
  • 12 March 2021
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza A(H5N6): risk assessment
  • 16 November 2021
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza A (H7N9): UKHSA risk assessment
  • 8 January 2020
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza: epidemiological protocols
  • 25 July 2013
  • Guidance

Laboratory diagnostics and guidance

• Avian influenza A(H7) and influenza A(H5): laboratory investigations
  • 3 March 2022
  • Guidance
• Avian influenza A(H7) and influenza A(H5): referral of samples
  • 30 December 2016
  • Guidance

Promotional material

• Avian Influenza: advice for travellers to China
  • 19 February 2019
  • Promotional material

Published 30 August 2014
Last updated 29 June 2023 + show all updates

1. 29 June 2023

   Added document 'Asymptomatic Avian Influenza Surveillance Study protocol'.

2. 2 June 2023

   Added 'HAIRS risk assessment: avian influenza A(H5N1)'.

3. 1 February 2023

   Updated 'Epidemiology and risk assessments' section.

4. 20 March 2019

   Risk Assessment of Avian Influenza A(H9N2) added to the Epidemiology section.

5. 17 April 2018

   Added a link to a new risk assessment under the heading 'Epidemiology': 'Avian influenza A(H7N4): risk assessment'

6. 15 March 2017

   Promotional material related to Avian Influenza added.

7. 30 December 2016

   Added Avian Influenza A(H7) and influenza A(H5) documents.

8. 15 February 2016

   Risk assessment of avian influenza A(H5N6) published.

9. 6 May 2015

   Avian influenza A(H5N2) and A(H5N8): risk assessment added.

10. 8 April 2015

    Risk assessment of avian influenza A(H5N1) added.

11. 20 November 2014

    The avian influenza A(H5N8): risk assessment has been added.

12. 30 August 2014

    First published.