The Web APSU GIS

Avian Flu

WHAT IS THE BIRD FLU?

GIS of Current Human Cases of Bird Flu According to the World Health Organization, bird flu is a contagious disease caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.

Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions (CDC Website). Bird Flu viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, infected humans. A majority of human cases of Avian Flu were cause by direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their feces. In rare instances, limited human-to-human spread of bird flu has occurred, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person (CDC Website).

BIRD FLU AND GIS

The APSU GIS Center has taken the Avian Flu from the WHO and plotted it in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The maps represent tabular data and are meant to give a visual representation of the spread of the disease in humans. GIS of Current Human Cases of Bird Flu