Commonly known as the “bird flu” or “avian flu,” avian influenza is a type of influenza caused by certain viruses that have adapted to birds. Other similar types of influenza have also been named after the specific host its virus strains have adapted to.

Such examples are the “swine flu”, “dog flu”, “horse flu” or “human flu”. So far, all the viruses known to cause influenza in birds belong to the Influenza A virus. The adaptation of a virus, subtype or strain to a certain species is not exclusive. The fact that the subtypes of the Influenza A virus are adapted to birds does not mean that strains from the virus can not adapt or at least partially adapt to other species. Viruses that cause influenza pandemics, for instance, are adapted to humans and birds alike.

China is now the host country of a new possible bird flu epidemic, or even a pandemic. Recently, three dead chickens were tested in Hong Kong, and the result was positive for bird flu. A new policy was imposed on Hong Kong as a result of this laboratory test result. For the next 21 days, all poultry imports are suspended in the city, and the responsible authorities must being slaughtering approximately 80,000 birds, according to a statement issued by state officials on Tuesday. York Chow, who is the secretary for food and health, has stated that he and his administration feel that “Hong Kong is facing a new alert for bird flu.”

According to Chow, the three dead birds were found at a farm that housed over 60,000 birds. The three dead birds tested positive only for the H5 virus, and they are currently being tested to see if they are also infected with the deadly H5N1 strain. The area surrounding the farm and the farm itself were declared as part of an infected area. Other poultry operations in the area were also included in the zone, and were also ordered to slaughter the birds.

China is not facing its first possible bird flu epidemic. In 1997, the H5N1 strain adapted to humans and killed six people – it was Hong Kong’s biggest outbreak of the bird flu. Over 300,000 in wholesale and retail and almost 1,000,000 birds in local farms were slaughtered in 2001.