What is the difference between seasonal, avian (or bird) and pandemic influenza?
Seasonal (or common) influenza is a respiratory illness, caused by influenza Type A and Type B viruses, that occurs every year on a seasonal basis and can be transmitted from person to person. Because the seasonal influenza virus changes rapidly and frequently, seasonal vaccine contents have to be changed each year. Fortunately, most people have some immunity to seasonal influenza viruses, and a vaccine can help protect against some strains. Avian influenza (or bird flu) is caused only by influenza Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic avian influenza is common in birds and causes few signs of illness. A highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) is deadly to domestic fowl. It has been transmitted from birds to humans on a limited basis, and when a human is infected, the resulting illness is often fatal. Humans have virtually no immunity to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. Pandemic influenza is a virulent human influenza caused by a mutated
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