Could migrating birds bring highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu virus into the U.S.?
Bird migration is one possible route of introduction of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus but it is not known how likely this could be. Other potential routes of introduction include illegal smuggling of birds or poultry products, travel by infected people, or importation of materials or equipment contaminated by the virus. North American birds that migrate to eastern Russia, Alaska and northern Canada could come into contact with Asian birds infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. These migrating birds could potentially then bring the virus south when they return to North America.
