Fish & Wildlife Disease: Avian Disease
Since 2006, we have partnered with agencies around the world to monitor the spread of highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza. In 2014, our scientists detected three HPAI viruses for the first time in wild birds in North America: H5N2, H5N8, and a recombinant H5N1. In response to HPAI detections, our scientists are working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other Federal and state agency partners.
Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne bird disease caused by a protozoan parasite (Plasmodium relictum). P. relictum reproduces in avian red blood cells. If the parasite load is sufficiently high, the bird loses red blood cells (anemia). Because red blood cells are critical for moving oxygen about the body, loss of these cells can lead to progressive weakness and, eventually, death. This disease was introduced to Hawaii and native honeycreepers are highly susceptible.
Avian botulism is caused by the soil bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, and causes paralysis and death in birds. Two types of botulism have been found in birds: Type C, which occurs during warmer months across the U.S., and Type E, which is found primarily in the Great Lakes.
Avian Influenza Geonarrative
Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds but they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in poultry and wildlife. Learn more with this geonarrative.
Avian Disease Research
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS avian disease research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS avian disease data is available from the button below.
Hawai'i Island locations of 'Apapane and 'I'iwi from automated radio telemetry tracking system 2014 to 2016
Kaua'i Avian Botulism Surveillance Using Detector Canines 2017-2018
Alakai Plateau, Kauai, and Volcano Village,Hawaii biopesticides and traps for the control of Culex quinquefasciatus, 2017-2018
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in North American Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions
Hawaii Island forest bird avian malaria detection using whole blood preserved in lysis buffer, 2005-2006
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian in?uenza in North American Poultry
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS avian disease research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS avian disease publications is available from the button below.
Establishment of baseline cytology metrics in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius): Immunomodulatory effects of the flame retardant isopropylated triarylphosphate isomers
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N2 (Clade 2.3.4.4) challenge of mallards age appropriate to the 2015 midwestern poultry outbreak
The spatial-temporal relationship of blue-winged teal to domestic poultry: Movement state modeling of a highly mobile avian influenza host
Individual and seasonal variation in the movement behavior of two tropical nectarivorous birds
Population estimates and trends of three Maui Island-endemic Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Genetic structure and population history in two critically endangered Kaua‘i honeycreepers
Transcriptome assembly and differential gene expression of the invasive avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum in Hawaiʻi
Efficacy of detection canines for avian botulism surveillance and mitigation
Poecivirus is present in individuals with beak deformities in seven species of North American birds
Field trials to test new trap technologies for monitoring Culex populations and the efficacy of the biopesticide formulation VectoMax® FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus in the Alaka'i Plateau, Kaua'i, Hawaii
Crossroads of highly pathogenic H5N1: overlap between wild and domestic birds in the Black Sea-Mediterranean impacts global transmission
Explore our science using the interactive tools below.
Since 2006, we have partnered with agencies around the world to monitor the spread of highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza. In 2014, our scientists detected three HPAI viruses for the first time in wild birds in North America: H5N2, H5N8, and a recombinant H5N1. In response to HPAI detections, our scientists are working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other Federal and state agency partners.
Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne bird disease caused by a protozoan parasite (Plasmodium relictum). P. relictum reproduces in avian red blood cells. If the parasite load is sufficiently high, the bird loses red blood cells (anemia). Because red blood cells are critical for moving oxygen about the body, loss of these cells can lead to progressive weakness and, eventually, death. This disease was introduced to Hawaii and native honeycreepers are highly susceptible.
Avian botulism is caused by the soil bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, and causes paralysis and death in birds. Two types of botulism have been found in birds: Type C, which occurs during warmer months across the U.S., and Type E, which is found primarily in the Great Lakes.
Avian Influenza Geonarrative
Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds but they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in poultry and wildlife. Learn more with this geonarrative.
Avian Disease Research
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS avian disease research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS avian disease data is available from the button below.
Hawai'i Island locations of 'Apapane and 'I'iwi from automated radio telemetry tracking system 2014 to 2016
Kaua'i Avian Botulism Surveillance Using Detector Canines 2017-2018
Alakai Plateau, Kauai, and Volcano Village,Hawaii biopesticides and traps for the control of Culex quinquefasciatus, 2017-2018
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in North American Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions
Hawaii Island forest bird avian malaria detection using whole blood preserved in lysis buffer, 2005-2006
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian in?uenza in North American Poultry
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS avian disease research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS avian disease publications is available from the button below.
Establishment of baseline cytology metrics in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius): Immunomodulatory effects of the flame retardant isopropylated triarylphosphate isomers
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N2 (Clade 2.3.4.4) challenge of mallards age appropriate to the 2015 midwestern poultry outbreak
The spatial-temporal relationship of blue-winged teal to domestic poultry: Movement state modeling of a highly mobile avian influenza host
Individual and seasonal variation in the movement behavior of two tropical nectarivorous birds
Population estimates and trends of three Maui Island-endemic Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Genetic structure and population history in two critically endangered Kaua‘i honeycreepers
Transcriptome assembly and differential gene expression of the invasive avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum in Hawaiʻi
Efficacy of detection canines for avian botulism surveillance and mitigation
Poecivirus is present in individuals with beak deformities in seven species of North American birds
Field trials to test new trap technologies for monitoring Culex populations and the efficacy of the biopesticide formulation VectoMax® FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus in the Alaka'i Plateau, Kaua'i, Hawaii
Crossroads of highly pathogenic H5N1: overlap between wild and domestic birds in the Black Sea-Mediterranean impacts global transmission
Explore our science using the interactive tools below.