USGS is collaborating with numerous partner institutions to explore the susceptibility to and pathogenesis of relevant avian influenza strains in waterfowl species with special emphasis on sea ducks and diving ducks.
Prior to this effort, the susceptibility and pathogenesis of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) had not been characterized in numerous duck species, especially diving ducks (genera Melanitta, Aythya, and Oxyura), some of which migrate across the continental US. The few studies previously available suggested that they may shed high amounts of virus, but it is unclear whether they have the capacity to spread HPAI long distances.
This project, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Southeast Poultry Disease Research Laboratory and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, characterizes the pathobiology of HPAI in diving duck species, including Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) and Common Eider (Somateria mollissima).
This study helps fill an important gap in our current state of knowledge on HPAI in wild birds, and provides input factors for disease transmission risk models.
<<Back to Avian Influenza Research at EESC

Below are publications associated with this project.
A systematic review of laboratory investigations into the pathogenesis of avian influenza viruses in wild avifauna of North America
The pathogenesis of a 2022 North American highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 avian influenza virus in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
The pathogenesis of a North American H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 group A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata)
The pathogenesis of H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Clade 2.3.4.4 H5 North American highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses infect, but do not cause clinical signs in American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes)
The pathogenesis of clade 2.3.4.4 H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) and Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
USGS is collaborating with numerous partner institutions to explore the susceptibility to and pathogenesis of relevant avian influenza strains in waterfowl species with special emphasis on sea ducks and diving ducks.
Prior to this effort, the susceptibility and pathogenesis of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) had not been characterized in numerous duck species, especially diving ducks (genera Melanitta, Aythya, and Oxyura), some of which migrate across the continental US. The few studies previously available suggested that they may shed high amounts of virus, but it is unclear whether they have the capacity to spread HPAI long distances.
This project, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Southeast Poultry Disease Research Laboratory and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, characterizes the pathobiology of HPAI in diving duck species, including Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) and Common Eider (Somateria mollissima).
This study helps fill an important gap in our current state of knowledge on HPAI in wild birds, and provides input factors for disease transmission risk models.
<<Back to Avian Influenza Research at EESC

Below are publications associated with this project.