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
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