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.
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.
Survival of Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis differs among island populations: Role of chronic avian botulism
Divergent movement patterns of adult and juvenile ‘Akohekohe, an endangered Hawaiian Honeycreeper
Investigation of the 2018 thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) die-off on St. Lawrence Island rules out food shortage as the cause
The pathogenesis of a North American H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 group A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata)
Influenza A viruses remain infectious for more than seven months in northern wetlands of North America
Genesis and spread of multiple reassortants during the 2016/2017 H5 avian influenza epidemic in Eurasia
Use of whole blood samples preserved in DNA lysis buffer for serological detection of avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds
Fostering real-time climate adaptation: Analyzing past, current, and forecast temperature to understand the dynamic risk to Hawaiian honeycreepers from avian malaria
Emerging diseases of avian wildlife
Ecology of influenza A viruses in wild birds and wetlands of Alaska
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian influenza in North American Poultry
Field-based method for assessing duration of infectivity for influenza A viruses in the environment
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.
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.
Survival of Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis differs among island populations: Role of chronic avian botulism
Divergent movement patterns of adult and juvenile ‘Akohekohe, an endangered Hawaiian Honeycreeper
Investigation of the 2018 thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) die-off on St. Lawrence Island rules out food shortage as the cause
The pathogenesis of a North American H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 group A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata)
Influenza A viruses remain infectious for more than seven months in northern wetlands of North America
Genesis and spread of multiple reassortants during the 2016/2017 H5 avian influenza epidemic in Eurasia
Use of whole blood samples preserved in DNA lysis buffer for serological detection of avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds
Fostering real-time climate adaptation: Analyzing past, current, and forecast temperature to understand the dynamic risk to Hawaiian honeycreepers from avian malaria
Emerging diseases of avian wildlife
Ecology of influenza A viruses in wild birds and wetlands of Alaska
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian influenza in North American Poultry
Field-based method for assessing duration of infectivity for influenza A viruses in the environment
Explore our science using the interactive tools below.