Avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, is a viral disease that is typically transmitted between wild birds and poultry but can spread to other birds and mammals. Based on current evidence in Canada, the risk to the general public remains low at this time. Human infection with avian influenza is rare and usually occurs after close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. To date, there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of the virus in any of the cases identified globally.