Tracking new strains of flu and monitoring its spread are crucial. The World Health Organization and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coordinate monitoring efforts on the international and national levels. The Department of Health coordinates these efforts in Washington.

Tracking influenza is particularly important before a pandemic begins. This makes it possible to identify flu viruses with the potential to cause a pandemic.

Under certain conditions, some avian or animal influenza viruses can infect humans. The state Department of Agriculture is expanding efforts to educate the public and poultry producers about the proper handling of domestic birds, as well as testing dead or diseased birds suspected of carrying flu viruses. The agency also tests eggs for the presence of bird flu antibodies.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife responds to reports of dead wild birds and submits them for testing. In addition, the agency is working with the state of California to test blood samples from healthy sea birds captured during research. Should an outbreak of avian or animal influenza occur, plans and resources are in place to help contain the spread of the virus.