Avian influenza viruses infect humans, horses, swine, other mammals, and a wide variety of domesticated and wild birds. Modem poultry industries worldwide are at risk of infection with avian influenza. Low pathogenic avian influenza can easily change to highly pathogenic form especially when introduced into areas of high density commercial poultry. Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza are becoming progressively more expensive to control according to the growth of the poultry industry worldwide. Future strategies for avian influenza control and prevention should involve a combination of early detection and characterization of virus using advanced molecular biologic techniques, quarantine, selective depopulation and vaccination of flocks.