Abstract

Avian Influenza is a current threat in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and spreading to other Western regions. Influenza viruses are complex and can mutate to cause infections in a variety of animals including wild birds, cats, horses and marine mammals. Theories explaining virus movement usually include wild bird migration or captive poultry or exotic birds though little documentation exists to explain document virus spread. A summary of avian influenza and its implications for aquatic animals will be presented.