Avian Influenza (AI)

Avian Influenza (AI)

Avian Influenza is a contagious viral disease of birds caused by Influenza A viruses, with subtypes classified based on hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins (e.g., H5N1, H7N9).

There are two main categories:

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – causes high mortality, systemic disease, and rapid flock losses.
• Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) – may cause mild respiratory signs but can mutate into HPAI.

Clinical signs include:

• Sudden death, cyanosis of comb/wattles
• Drop in egg production, respiratory distress
• Neurological signs in some species

qPCR testing detects viral RNA with high sensitivity from:

• Tracheal or oropharyngeal swabs
• Cloacal swabs or faeces
• Tissue from dead birds (lung, spleen)

This test is critical for rapid outbreak identification, monitoring, and surveillance. It supports government-led disease control programs and is essential for complying with notifiable disease regulations in poultry operations.