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I had a flu shot. Will that protect me from avian influenza?

Last Updated: December 14, 2009

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No. A flu shot will only protect you from seasonal human flu. However, a flu shot will reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with human and avian influenza viruses. This is believed to be the way human and avian influenza viruses swap genes and produce a hybrid influenza virus that may have enough human genes to allow it to spread from person to person, giving it the potential to create a pandemic or worldwide epidemic.

Please visit the Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza website for more information on human infection.

Browse related Faqs by tag: agrosecurity, human health, pandemic, avianinfluenza, birdflu


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