The influenza virus is a common cause of infectious disease in humans; in most cases, it is mild. However, the presentation can be severe and fatal in patients at risk, such as those with comorbidities. Among the types of influenza viruses, one of those that has had the greatest importance in recent years and that has remained a threat to public health is the avian influenza virus, or type A, due to its potential to create pandemics and its high mortality rate. The avian influenza virus has an accesible reservoir: birds and animals such as mammals can be in close contact with humans, promoting contagion. The infection has a nonspecific clinical presentation with respiratory, gastrointestinal, and even neurological symptoms, which can be confused with other etiologies. The treatment for the infection is symptomatic and with antivirals, which patients should ideally receive within the first 48 h. There are new diagnostic strategies to detect the infection early, and work is constantly being done on new prevention methods, such as effective and safe vaccines. There is a high level of inequality in access to influenza prevention and treatment worldwide. This is determined by ethnicity, race, and geographic location, which are related to the availability of healthcare resources, infrastructure, vaccination, and medicines. Public health policies are needed to promote the guarantee of equity in the availability of resources for disease control at a global level.