H5N1 Bird Flu Explained: What You Need to Know About Avian Influenza and Your Health Risk
Published: November 19, 2025
Duration: 4:27
Welcome to Quiet Please. This is “Avian Flu 101: Your H5N1 Bird Flu Guide.” Whether you’re completely new to the topic or just want the basics, this three-minute primer is for you. Let’s get started.
First, what exactly is avian flu, or bird flu? Bird flu is a disease caused by influenza viruses that mainly infect birds, especially wild and domestic poultry. The H5N1 strain is what you’ve likely heard about most. It’s called “H5N1” because of the types of spikes on the virus’s surface: H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase...
First, what exactly is avian flu, or bird flu? Bird flu is a disease caused by influenza viruses that mainly infect birds, especially wild and domestic poultry. The H5N1 strain is what you’ve likely heard about most. It’s called “H5N1” because of the types of spikes on the virus’s surface: H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase...