The truth: The strain of avian influenza known as "bird flu" has infected about 100 people worldwide since 1997. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans.
• The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been very rarely reported, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
• Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry — such as domesticated chickens, ducks, and turkeys — or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.
• There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection for avian influenza viruses.

A global outbreak would happen only if the virus changes into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person. In other words, you don't have to take chicken off tonight's dinner menu.

For additional information, visit the CDC's Pandemic Influenza Web Page or the World Health Organization (WHO) Web Page about this topic.