Technical Abstract: Avian influenza (AI) is a viral disease of poultry that impacts international trade in poultry and poultry products. An outbreak of highly pathogenic (HP) AI (H7N1) occurred in Italy during 1999-2000 and was eradicated in April 2000. However, an H7N1 MPAI virus re-emerged in poultry of northern Italy during August 2000. Other outbreaks of MPAI have been ongoing in Central America (H5N2) including Mexico, and Asia (H9N2). An H5N1 HPAI virus has been detected sporadically in geese in Hong Kong wholesale market since 1999 and recently was isolated from chickens in 10 retail markets in association with high mortality rates. Avian influenza is a continuing threat to the U.S. poultry industries.