Systematic Veterinary Virology

INTRODUCTION

• Avian influenza is caused by type A influenza virus. The symptoms can vary from a mild disease with little or no mortality to a highly fatal, rapidly spreading epidemic (highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza - HPAI) depending on the infecting virus strain, host factors, and environmental stressors.
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is also known as fowl plague. The disease, was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago and now occurs worldwide.