In the course of the 14-month surveillance program, we isolated infl uenza virus (H5N1) from 12 samples from live birds and from bird meats obtained from the markets. Bird meats were the source of 9 virus-containing samples (5 quail, 2 moor hens, and 2 water cocks), which indicates a risk for infl uenza virus (H5N1) contamination in bird meats, especially quail. In addition, 3 highly pathogenic avian infl uenza viruses were isolated from healthy live poultry (1 chicken and 2 ducks). However, the samples that contained infl uenza virus subtype H5N1 were detected only during the 3-month winter season (November-January). A possible explanation for virus contamination in live bird and food markets may be animal movement from outbreak areas to the markets as well as an attempt to sell infected (dead or dying) birds, especially quail, as bird meat. In addition, most animals or meats in the markets came from backyard farms, where they were in unavoidably close contact with wild birds.