What is the ruling on traveling and moving between countries in the event of avian influenza (quarantine), and is one who dies from this epidemic considered a martyr? What is the ruling on burning and burying birds alive (both infected and uninfected), and is it permissible for a person afflicted with the disease not to pray in the mosque or perform congregational acts of worship for fear of contagion?

Bird flu has not reached the level of a general pandemic, and it is likely that epidemics other than the plague do not share the same ruling regarding fleeing from them or attaining martyrdom. If the departure is for the purpose of seeking treatment, then it is permissible. There is no objection to killing birds carrying the virus if it causes harm to humans, and the disease must be reported to the competent authorities. It is not permissible to abandon congregational prayers for fear of contracting it, unless it is confirmed that it transmits between humans, in which case it becomes an excuse.