What kinds of birds does avian influenza infect?
Naturally occurring avian influenza viruses in wild birds are generally associated with waterfowl (ducks and geese), gulls, and some species of shore birds and typically do not cause illness in these birds. The viruses occasionally “jump” from these wild birds to domestic birds such as chickens, quail and turkeys. In some cases these viruses can cause severe disease in domestic birds, but in general this requires viral adaptations that occur over time in domestic bird populations. This is the case with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus (“bird flu”) that has been circulating in domestic birds in Asia at least since 1997. Although this virus probably originated in wild birds, it has mutated and adapted to domestic poultry.
Naturally occurring avian influenza viruses in wild birds are generally associated with waterfowl (ducks and geese), gulls, and some species of shore birds and typically do not cause illness in these birds. The viruses can occasionally be transmitted from these wild birds to domestic birds such as chickens, quail and turkeys. In some cases these viruses can cause severe disease in domestic birds. This is the case with the H5N1 avian flu virus which has been circulating in domestic birds in Asia at least since 1997. Although this virus probably originated in wild birds, it has changed and adapted to domestic poultry.
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