Birds and the ecology of influenza viruses.

Aves are the cornerstone of the world of influenza viruses. Birds represent a zoonotic pool of viruses and their biology, their migrations in particul ar, have a direct impact on global viral circulation. In the case of influe nza viruses, interspecies barriers are relative and viral transmission from birds to mammals has been well documented. Among the diversity of avian sp ecies which can be naturally infected by influenza viruses, chickens recent ly became a new contender as a mixing vessel and transmission link for viru ses from wild birds to humans. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.