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Avian influenza, or "bird flu," is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses. These viruses can infect domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese) and are found naturally in wild birds (such as ducks, gulls, and shorebirds). Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) occurs naturally in wild birds and can spread to domestic birds. In most cases, it causes few or no outward signs of infection. LPAI viruses are common in the United States and around the world. High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is extremely infectious, often fatal to domestic poultry, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock. If HPAI is found in the United States, we must eradicate it to protect our country’s flocks and to keep trade flowing.