Poultrymed | Avian Influenza

Virulent avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease, which may cause up to 100% mortality in domestic fowls. The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family: Orthomyxoviridae.
All commercial, domestic and wild bird species are susceptible but disease outbreaks occur more frequently in turkeys and chickens. Infection may be brought into a country by migratory wild birds. Many species of waterfowl, especially geese and ducks carry the virus but generally show no signs of disease. Generally, humans are not affected, but an outbreak of influenza in humans was associated with an avian source in Hong Kong - January 1998.
Some images included here are published with permission from Dr. Ilaria Capua, and are part of the book "A Colour Atlas and Text on Avian Influenza" written by I. Capua and F. Mutinelli, 2001. The book reports the clinical, pathological, virological and regulatory aspects of the 1999-2000 H7N1 epizootic of mildly and highly pathogenic avian influenza in Italy (All images are subject to copyright).

Broiler Breeder, HPAI, congestion and cyanosis of the comb and wattles.

Broiler Breeder, HPAI, haemorrhages on the hock.

Caged layers, HPAI, prostration and reluctane to move in preagonic phase.

Caged layers, HPAI, prostration and reluctane to move in preagonic phase.

28-day-old turkeys affected by LPAI, during the acute phase of the disease, high mortality and clinical appearance of the affected flock.

28-day-old turkey affected by LPAI, caseous deposits in the infraorbital sinuses

28-day-old poults affected by LPAI, severe conjunctivitis and swelling of infraorbital sinuses, note also general depression and ruffled feathers.

H9N2 - Dyspnea and cyanosis in 11 weeks old turkey

H9N2 - Sinusitis and nasal discharge in 11 weeks old turkey.

H9N2 - Caseous exudates in the lungs and sinuses of 11 weeks old turkey.

H9N2

H9N2

H9N2

H9N2 - Swollen head and sinusitis in 8 weeks old commercial pullets

H9N2 - Swollen head and sinusitis in 8 weeks old commercial pullets

H9N2 - Cast formation in the trachea of 8 weeks old pullets

H9N2 - Cast formation in the trachea of 8 weeks old pullets

H9N2 - Swollen head and sinusitis in commercial egg-type layers

H9N2 - Swollen head and sinusitis in commercial egg-type layers

Israel: Ein Shemer January 2010. Broiler breeders 15 weeks old (images taken on January 17, 2010).

Israel: Ein Shemer January 2010. Broiler breeders 15 weeks old.

Israel: Ein Shemer January 2010. Broiler breeders 15 weeks old. H5N1. Image by Dr Yudke Friedman.

A new variant strain of H9N2 in Israel (2014)
Turkey: 6 weeks old

A severe outbreak of A/H9N2 in a 2.5 week-old poult

A/H9N2 in 2.5 week-old poult

Airsacculitis, splenomegaly and pericarditis in a 2.5 week-old poult with H9N2

Severe outbreak of a new variant strain of H9N2 in Israel (2014);Turkey: 6 weeks old

Highly pathogenic Avian influenza H5N1 in Aviel, Israel 2015. Turkeys 16 weeks old (Photo by R. Ohana)

Avian Influenza H5N1 in Nir Oz (Israel - 2006) - Photo by Tsvi Berg

Broiler breeders (males) 21 wks of age; H5N8, Hefzi-Ba, Israel - Nov 2016. Image: Dr Giora Guilat.

Proventriculus; Broiler breeders (males) 21 wks of age; H5N8, Hefzi-Ba, Israel - Nov 2016. Image: Dr Giora Guilat.

Spleen; Broiler breeders (males) 21 wks of age; H5N8, Hefzi-Ba, Israel - Nov 2016. Image: Dr Giora Guilat.

H5N8 in a turkey flock 10 weeks old (Before culling). Ein Tzurim - Israel December 2016. By Dr Zohar Geva

H5N1 in layer hen. Congestion and cyanosis of the comb and wattles, with dark red to blue depressed areas of ischaemic necrosis. Margaliot/Israel 2021. Image: Dr Eyal Almogi & Eyal Eshel

H5N1 in layer hen. Cyanotic combs and wattles, oedema of the wattles. Margaliot/Israel 2021. Image: Dr Eyal Almogi & Eyal Eshel

H5N1 in layer hen. Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages) on the pericardium. Margaliot/Israel 2021. Image: Dr Eyal Almogi & Eyal Eshel

Cyanosis (blue discolouration) of the comb and wattles. Broiler breeder. H5N1 Ram On/Israel 2022. Image: Eyal Eshel