Avian Influenza Surveillance Active
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
Investigating Avian Influenza in U.S. Wildlife
In addition to investigating wildlife mortality events since our founding in the 1970s, the NWHC conducts research to better understand processes and environmental factors that influence spread, distribution, and transmission of HPAI in wild birds and poultry. Surveillance activities conducted by NWHC, in support of national HPAI surveillance objectives, provide critical information regarding avian influenza strains currently circulating in the U.S. and enhance our understanding of disease impacts on wild birds. Wild bird surveillance also provides early warning for the agricultural sector and helps inform the need for increased biosecurity at poultry facilities.
The NWHC routinely tests samples from wild birds for avian influenza viruses. In December 2014, the NWHC detected HPAI viruses of Asian origin in wild waterfowl in the state of Washington (Ip et al. 2015). By the end of 2015, losses associated with this HPAI outbreak exceeded 50 million poultry, resulting in over $3 billion dollars in economic impacts.
Between 2016 and 2021, the NWHC tested over 3,400 wild-bird carcasses and over 12,400 swab samples from healthy wild birds for the presence of avian influenza viruses. While HPAI was not detected in any of these samples, over 2,600 low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses were identified and characterized, providing critical information to wildlife and agricultural officials regarding the spatial distribution and strains of avian influenza viruses circulating in our nation’s wildlife.
HPAI Surveillance Update 2021-22
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in North American wild birds for the first time since 2015. Initial detections occurred in Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) and the United States (South Carolina) in December 2021. Additional detections in the United States are reported online by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a map of confirmed detections in North America is available from the NWHC.
Interagency Partnerships
The NWHC serves on the U.S. Interagency Steering Committee for Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds and conducts morbidity and mortality event investigations in support of the Interagency Strategic Plan for Early Detection and Monitoring for Avian Influenzas of Significance in Wild Birds. The NWHC also serves as an affiliate member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory on diagnostic testing of samples collected from wild birds for avian influenza surveillance.
Additional Resources
- Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America, 2021/2022 (Map)
- Avian influenza (USDA)
- Information on Avian Influenza (CDC)
- Implementation Plan for Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the United States
- NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletins
- Status and Response to Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America – February 2022
- Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in an Exhibition Farm in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada - December 2021
- Winter 2021 Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Circulating Globally in Wild Birds - December 2021
More Information on Avian Influenza
Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which refers to a specific virus’ capability to cause mortality in domestic poultry. It remains a high consequence global disease with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health. Check out the main Avian Influenza page to learn more.
Learn about other NWHC work on avian influenza.
Below are photos related to avian influenza surveillance.
Below are publications related to avian influenza surveillance.
Influenza A virus recovery, diversity, and intercontinental exchange: A multi-year assessment of wild bird sampling at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
Widespread detection of highly pathogenic H5 influenza viruses in wild birds from the Pacific Flyway of the United States
High rates of detection of Clade 2.3.4.4 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 viruses in wild birds in the Pacific Northwest during the winter of 2014-2015
Surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild birds during outbreaks in domestic poultry, Minnesota, 2015
Avian influenza ecology in North Atlantic sea ducks: Not all ducks are created equal
Wild bird surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in North America
Demographic and spatiotemporal patterns of avian influenza infection at the continental scale, and in relation to annual life cycle of a migratory host
Rapidly expanding range of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses
The dynamics of avian influenza in western Arctic snow geese: implications for annual and migratory infection patterns
Avian influenza virus ecology in Iceland shorebirds: intercontinental reassortment and movement
Respiratory transmission of an avian H3N8 influenza virus isolated from a harbour seal
Below are news stories related to avian influenza.
Below are FAQs related to avian influenza.
- Overview
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
Investigating Avian Influenza in U.S. Wildlife
In addition to investigating wildlife mortality events since our founding in the 1970s, the NWHC conducts research to better understand processes and environmental factors that influence spread, distribution, and transmission of HPAI in wild birds and poultry. Surveillance activities conducted by NWHC, in support of national HPAI surveillance objectives, provide critical information regarding avian influenza strains currently circulating in the U.S. and enhance our understanding of disease impacts on wild birds. Wild bird surveillance also provides early warning for the agricultural sector and helps inform the need for increased biosecurity at poultry facilities.
The NWHC routinely tests samples from wild birds for avian influenza viruses. In December 2014, the NWHC detected HPAI viruses of Asian origin in wild waterfowl in the state of Washington (Ip et al. 2015). By the end of 2015, losses associated with this HPAI outbreak exceeded 50 million poultry, resulting in over $3 billion dollars in economic impacts.
Between 2016 and 2021, the NWHC tested over 3,400 wild-bird carcasses and over 12,400 swab samples from healthy wild birds for the presence of avian influenza viruses. While HPAI was not detected in any of these samples, over 2,600 low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses were identified and characterized, providing critical information to wildlife and agricultural officials regarding the spatial distribution and strains of avian influenza viruses circulating in our nation’s wildlife.
HPAI Surveillance Update 2021-22
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in North American wild birds for the first time since 2015. Initial detections occurred in Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) and the United States (South Carolina) in December 2021. Additional detections in the United States are reported online by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a map of confirmed detections in North America is available from the NWHC.
Interagency Partnerships
The NWHC serves on the U.S. Interagency Steering Committee for Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds and conducts morbidity and mortality event investigations in support of the Interagency Strategic Plan for Early Detection and Monitoring for Avian Influenzas of Significance in Wild Birds. The NWHC also serves as an affiliate member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory on diagnostic testing of samples collected from wild birds for avian influenza surveillance.
Additional Resources
- Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America, 2021/2022 (Map)
- Avian influenza (USDA)
- Information on Avian Influenza (CDC)
- Implementation Plan for Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the United States
- NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletins
- Status and Response to Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America – February 2022
- Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in an Exhibition Farm in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada - December 2021
- Winter 2021 Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Circulating Globally in Wild Birds - December 2021
More Information on Avian Influenza
Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which refers to a specific virus’ capability to cause mortality in domestic poultry. It remains a high consequence global disease with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health. Check out the main Avian Influenza page to learn more.
- Science
Learn about other NWHC work on avian influenza.
- Multimedia
Below are photos related to avian influenza surveillance.
- Publications
Below are publications related to avian influenza surveillance.
Filter Total Items: 43Influenza A virus recovery, diversity, and intercontinental exchange: A multi-year assessment of wild bird sampling at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Western Alaska is a potential point-of-entry for foreign-origin influenza A viruses (IAVs) into North America via migratory birds. We sampled waterfowl and gulls for IAVs at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in western Alaska, USA, during late summer and autumn months of 2011–2015, to evaluate the abundance and diversity of viruses at this site. We collected 4842 samples across five years froAuthorsAndrew B. Reeves, Jeffery S. Hall, Rebecca L. Poulson, Tyrone F. Donnelly, David E. Stallknecht, Andrew M. RameyU.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife hosts in a cAuthorsM. Camille Harris, John M. Pearce, Diann J. Prosser, C. LeAnn White, A. Keith Miles, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Christopher J. Brand, James P. Cronin, Susan De La Cruz, Christine L. Densmore, Thomas W. Doyle, Robert J. Dusek, Joseph P. Fleskes, Paul L. Flint, Gerald F. Guala, Jeffrey S. Hall, Laura E. Hubbard, Randall J. Hunt, Hon S. Ip, Rachel A. Katz, Kevin W. Laurent, Mark P. Miller, Mark D. Munn, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin D. Richards, Robin E. Russell, Joel P. Stokdyk, John Y. Takekawa, Daniel P. WalshWidespread detection of highly pathogenic H5 influenza viruses in wild birds from the Pacific Flyway of the United States
A novel highly pathogenic avian influenza virus belonging to the H5 clade 2.3.4.4 variant viruses was detected in North America in late 2014. Motivated by the identification of these viruses in domestic poultry in Canada, an intensive study was initiated to conduct highly pathogenic avian influenza surveillance in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States. A total of 4,729 hunter-harveAuthorsS.N. Bevins, Robert J. Dusek, C. LeAnn White, Thomas Gidlewski, B. Bodenstein, Kristin G. Mansfield, Paul DeBruyn, Donald K. Kraege, E. L. Rowan, Colin Gillin, B. Thomas, S. Chandler, J. Baroch, B. Schmit, M. J. Grady, R. S. Miller, M.L. Drew, S. Stopak, B. Zscheile, J. Bennett, J. Sengl, Caroline Brady, Hon S. Ip, Erica Spackman, M. L. Killian, Mia Kim Torchetti, Jonathan M. Sleeman, T.J. DeLibertoHigh rates of detection of Clade 2.3.4.4 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 viruses in wild birds in the Pacific Northwest during the winter of 2014-2015
In 2014, Clade 2.3.4.4 H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses spread across the Republic of Korea and ultimately were reported in China, Japan, Russia and Europe. Mortality associated with a reassortant HPAI H5N2 virus was detected in poultry farms in Western Canada at the end of November. The same strain (with identical genetic structure) was then detected in free-living wild birdsAuthorsHon S. Ip, Robert J. Dusek, Barbara L. Bodenstein, Mia Kim Torchetti, Paul DeBruyn, Kristin G. Mansfield, Thomas J. DeLiberto, Jonathan M. SleemanSurveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild birds during outbreaks in domestic poultry, Minnesota, 2015
In 2015, a major outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection devastated poultry facilities in Minnesota, USA. To clarify the role of wild birds, we tested 3,139 waterfowl fecal samples and 104 sick and dead birds during March 9–June 4, 2015. HPAIV was isolated from a Cooper’s hawk but not from waterfowl.AuthorsChristopher S. Jennelle, Michelle Carstensen, Erik C. Hildebrand, Louis Cornicelli, Paul C. Wolf, Daniel A. Grear, Hon S. Ip, Kaci K. VanDalen, Larissa A. MinicucciAvian influenza ecology in North Atlantic sea ducks: Not all ducks are created equal
Wild waterfowl are primary reservoirs of avian influenza viruses (AIV). However the role of sea ducks in the ecology of avian influenza, and how that role differs from freshwater ducks, has not been examined. We obtained and analyzed sera from North Atlantic sea ducks and determined the seroprevalence in those populations. We also tested swab samples from North Atlantic sea ducks for the presenceAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, Robin E. Russell, J. Christian Franson, Catherine Soos, Robert J. Dusek, R. Bradford Allen, Sean W. Nashold, Joshua L. Teslaa, Jón Einar Jónsson, Jennifer R. Ballard, Naomi Jnae Harms, Justin D. BrownWild bird surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in North America
It is unknown how the current Asian origin highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses arrived, but these viruses are now poised to become endemic in North America. Wild birds harbor these viruses and have dispersed them at regional scales. What is unclear is how the viruses may be moving from the wild bird reservoir into poultry holdings. Active surveillance of live wild birds is likely the bestAuthorsPaul L. Flint, John M. Pearce, J. Christian Franson, Dirk V. DerksenDemographic and spatiotemporal patterns of avian influenza infection at the continental scale, and in relation to annual life cycle of a migratory host
Since the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the eastern hemisphere, numerous surveillance programs and studies have been undertaken to detect the occurrence, distribution, or spread of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in wild bird populations worldwide. To identify demographic determinants and spatiotemporal patterns of AIV infection in long distance migratory waterfowl in NoAuthorsRodolfo Nallar, Zsuzsanna Papp, Tasha Epp, Frederick A. Leighton, Seth R. Swafford, Thomas J. DeLiberto, Robert J. Dusek, Hon S. Ip, Jeffrey S. Hall, Yohannes Berhane, Samantha E. J. Gibbs, Catherine SoosRapidly expanding range of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses
The movement of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) virus across Eurasia and into North America and the virus’ propensity to reassort with co-circulating low pathogenicity viruses raise concerns among poultry producers, wildlife biologists, aviculturists, and public health personnel worldwide. Surveillance, modeling, and experimental research will provide the knowledge required for intelligenAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, Robert J. Dusek, Erica SpackmanThe dynamics of avian influenza in western Arctic snow geese: implications for annual and migratory infection patterns
Wild water birds are the natural reservoir for low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIV). However, our ability to investigate the epizootiology of AIV in these migratory populations is challenging, and despite intensive worldwide surveillance, remains poorly understood. We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis in Pacific Flyway lesser snow geese Chen caerulescens to investigate AIAuthorsMichael D. Samuel, Jeffrey S. Hall, Justin D. Brown, Diana R. Goldberg, Hon S. Ip, Vasily V. BaranyukAvian influenza virus ecology in Iceland shorebirds: intercontinental reassortment and movement
Shorebirds are a primary reservoir of avian influenza viruses (AIV). We conducted surveillance studies in Iceland shorebird populations for 3 years, documenting high serological evidence of AIV exposure in shorebirds, primarily in Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres; seroprevalence = 75%). However, little evidence of virus infection was found in these shorebird populations and only two turnstoneAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Kamol Suwannanarn, Srinand Sreevatsen, Hon S. Ip, Joshua L. TeSlaa, Sean W. Nashold, Robert J. DusekRespiratory transmission of an avian H3N8 influenza virus isolated from a harbour seal
The ongoing human H7N9 influenza infections highlight the threat of emerging avian influenza viruses. In 2011, an avian H3N8 influenza virus isolated from moribund New England harbour seals was shown to have naturally acquired mutations known to increase the transmissibility of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses. To elucidate the potential human health threat, here we evaluate a panel of aviAuthorsErik A. Karlsson, Hon S. Ip, Jeffrey S. Hall, Sun W. Yoon, Jordan Johnson, Melinda A. Beck, Richard J. Webby, Stacey Schultz-Cherry - News
Below are news stories related to avian influenza.
- FAQ
Below are FAQs related to avian influenza.