Can animals “shed” the virus before clinical signs are observed?
Top A: The incubation period is the time between infection and the appearance of signs of disease. “Shedding,” as it applies to viruses, means that the animal’s secretions and/or droppings contain viral particles that may infect other animals or people. Some animals (e.g., growing poultry) rapidly show clinical signs of disease and simultaneously shed virus. Other animals, including some species of waterfowl, may appear clinically healthy, but be shedding the virus. The incubation and shedding periods for avian influenza virus in many species are not known.
