Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has recently become widespread globally in animals. Human infections are rare but are reported consistently. Therefore, work with HPAIV may encompass a wide variety of activities including lab-based research, animal work, field studies, and handling of positive diagnostic specimens. The goal of this workshop is to enable the audience to understand the basics of HPAIV, the risk associated with handling the virus or positive samples, and mitigations for handling it. An introduction to the basic biology of HPAIV including a brief description of pathobiology including modes of transmission and exposure routes among different species. A summary of what is known about transmission of the virus to and from wild birds. What is known about transmission from avian species to mammals will be covered from both a virus, exposure route, and disease pathogenesis perspective. Biosafety and biosecurity for handing HPAIV in the lab, animal research and field specimens will be described.