Highly Contagious H5N1 Avian Influenza Detected in 15 US States

A highly contagious strain of avian flu is spreading to several states in the U.S. Wisconsin is the latest state to report finding h5n1 – the scientific name for the avian flu – after discovering it in a commercial chicken flock. Avian flu has now been found in 15 states. Cross-species spread is possible, though not likely. Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center told CBS News, “It's a very rare event, it requires very close association of the human with the bird.”