For more information, contact Dr.
Dave Halvorson, Extension Veterinarian, at
halvo002@umn.edu

Avian Influenza (AI) is a viral disease characterized by respiratory signs, depression and reduced feed and water intake. In egg laying birds there is a decline in egg production and quality. There are two pathotypes of AI virus: the most common is low pathogenic AI (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic AI (HPAI).

The most virulent form (HPAI) was once called fowl plague. At the 1981 International Symposium on Avian Influenza, the term fowl plague was replaced with the term "highly virulent" influenza virus infection. The AI epidemic of 1983-1984 required yet new terms to describe relative pathogenicity of different isolates of the same serotypes (nonpathogenic, low-pathogenic, highly pathogenic).

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