As bird flu continues to decimate poultry and wild bird populations around the world, the virus – a deadly strain called H5N1 – appears to be spreading to mammals. The virus has already been confirmed in foxes and otters in the UK, and more recently in four dead seals.
Bird flu refers to influenza A viruses that mainly infect birds. These viruses naturally circulate in wild waterfowl, usually without causing any symptoms.
But when they spread into poultry, some subtypes of the virus can evolve into forms that are highly infectious and deadly (classified as “highly pathogenic”), and can rapidly spread and kill domestic birds.
