H5N1 vaccines have been previously licensed, and millions are in the national stockpile. But even with the news of the country’s first human death due to bird flu, vaccination isn’t yet recommended.

Avian influenza, commonly termed “bird flu”, is caused by the avian influenza virus A. This virus is usually found in wild water birds like ducks, geese, swans, etc. Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces, which can then spread to domestic poultry, as well as other bird and animal species.

Georgia, the top US chicken-producing state, confirmed its second recent case of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock, putting exports of the meat at risk.