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.
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.