http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp MedTerms Word of the Day en-us Copyright 1995-2012 MedicineNet Inc. All rights reserved. Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medterms.com/images/mt_144x35.gif http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp 144 35 http://www.medterms.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=WordOfTheDay&a=23162 http://www.medterms.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=WordOfTheDay&a=23162 Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT <p><b>Avian influenza:</b> A highly contagious viral disease with up to 100 percent mortality in domestic fowl. Caused by influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H7. All types of birds are susceptible to the virus, but outbreaks occur most often in chickens and turkeys. The infection may be brought by migratory wild birds which can carry the virus, but show no signs of disease. Humans are only rarely affected. Also known as fowl <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=86476" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">plague</a>, avian <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=365" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">flu</a>, and <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55040" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">bird flu</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp">MedTerms</a> (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp">MedicineNet.com</a>.<br />We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You