Bird flu is an infectious disease which is especially present in birds. It is a specific disease and also man can be infected under specific conditions. Flu pandemic develops when a new subtype of flu emerges. Strict veterinary measures are necessary for bird- -breeders. Historical resources prove exactly that the bird flu existed. Searching for epidemic of bird flu in the past is interesting for both historicians and physicians and biologists.

        Key words: bird flu, history, influenza A virus, H5N1 subtype