< Previous > NextDoes bird flu affect my food? Here, University of Connecticut Extension educators provide information on how to prevent risk from bird flu exposure and how to prepare food properly to ensure food safety. What is bird flu and how does it spread? “Bird flu” is the name that has been used to describe a disease caused by the avian influenza virus (H5N1). Proper food safety practices including hand washing and kitchen hygiene reduce the risk and spread of foodborne illnesses, including bird flu.