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Avian Influenza
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chickens Avian influenza (AI) is a virus-caused disease usually infecting birds. AI viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl as well as a wide variety of other birds, including migratory waterfowl.

AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin proteins (H), of which there are 16 (H1-H16), and neuraminidase proteins (N), of which there are 9 (N1-N9).

AI strains are also divided into two groups based on pathogenicity-the ability of the virus to produce disease. Most AI strains are classified as low pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza and cause little or no clinical signs in infected birds. LPAI poses no serious threat to humans. Some strains of LPAI-H5 and H7-can mutate to the more highly pathogenic forms. Birds with HPAI get a more virulent form of avian influenza.

People can get HPAI from birds, but it requires extensive close contact with infected birds. For HPAI to spread from person to person, the virus would have to mutate, to change.

The strain that is currently a problem from Southeast Asia is H5N1 HPAI.

To learn more about ARS avian influenza research, see:

"International Partnership for Poultry Safety," in the November 2005 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.

"A New, Rapid Test for Avian Influenza," in the February 2003 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.

ARS Research Projects and Programs

ARS is developing new information and important tools to help control this disease in poultry. ARS supports USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and poultry industry action programs with epidemiology, molecular virology, pathogenesis research, and technical assistance on avian influenza.

roosterSoutheast Poultry Research Lab Avian Influenza Research Program:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/athens-ga/us-national-poultry-research-center/exotic-emerging-avian-viral-diseases-research/

The Southeast Poultry Research Lab (SEPRL) research efforts on avian influenza are directed toward understanding why and how mild viruses become highly pathogenic, developing better diagnostic tests and improved vaccines, and elucidating the molecular and pathological basis for virulence.

Research Projects

Application of Biological and Molecular Techniques to the Diagnosis and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Emerging Poultry Pathogens
/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=411346

Development of An Experimental Model and Testing for Efficacy of West Nile and Avian Influenza Recombinant Pox Vectored Vaccines
/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=405547

Mucosal Immunization to Protect Poultry Against Avian Influenza
/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=405500

Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza in the U.S.
A large ($5 million) multi-location, multi-institution grant from USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, in which ARS is a partner.

Publications

Publication Abstract: Avian Influenza Virus: Prospects for Prevention and Control by Vaccination
/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=172748

Publication Abstract: Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza a Viruses Isolated from Korean Poultry
/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=168553

Publication Abstract: Comparative Susceptibility of Selected Avian and Mammalian Species to a Hong Kong-Origin H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=134622


Publication Abstract: Use of a Novel Virus Inactivation Method for a Multi-Center Avian Influenza Real-Time Rt-Pcr Proficiency
/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=156392

Agricultural Research magazine
"A New, Rapid Test for Avian Influenza," Feb. 2003
/is/AR/archive/feb03/avian0203.htm

For more information about ARS avian influenza programs, contact
Cyril G. Gay, National Program Leader, Animal Health
301-504-4786