What is the difference between “low pathogenic” and “high pathogenic” avian influenza?
In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of the disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. “Low pathogenic” avian influenza (LPAI) forms cause only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, drop in egg production) and may be undetected in a flock. The “high pathogenic” avian influenza (HPAI) can spread rapidly in poultry flocks and cause severe disease and high mortality in a matter of hours. Other strains of avian influenza occur naturally in wild bird populations. There is even a North American strain of low pathogenic H5N1 that has recently been found in wild birds in several states while conducting routine surveillance and testing. This strain of avian influenza does not appear to make any wild birds sick and it is not a threat to human health. back to top What is the difference between “low pathogenic” and “high pathogenic” avian influenza? In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of the di
