Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195449

Title: SCIENCE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA AND GLOBAL SITUATION OF HIGH PATHOGENICITY AVIAN INFLUENZA

Author
item SWAYNE, DAVID

Submitted to: International Seminar of Avian Pathology
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/2006
Publication Date: 5/22/2006
Citation: Swayne, D.E. 2006. Science of avian influenza and global situation of high pathogenicity avian influenza. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Seminar of Avian Pathology, May 22-26, 2006, Athens, Georgia. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: Avian influenza (AI) viruses are a diverse group divided into 144 different subtypes based on different combinations of the 16 hemagglutinin and 9 neuraminidase subtypes, and two different pathotypes (low [LP] and high pathogenicity [HP]). LPAI viruses are maintained in wild birds, and must be adapted to pass to domestic poultry. HPAI viruses arise in poultry and historically have not gone back to wild birds. However, the Asian H5N1 HPAI virus has readapted to some wild bird species creating a new mechanism of spread. The Asian H5N1 HPAI virus has spread into northern and western Asia, and Europe and Africa, with evidence of involvement of migratory birds, but poultry and their products are still the primary way the virus is moved. Lethality in domestic ducks has increased but is not equivalent to HPAI in chickens. The virus is labile and easily inactivated by heat. Cooking at a minimal temperature of 70C will inactivate virus in meat in less than 1 minute.