Avian influenza (AI)

What is avian influenza?

Image of ducks

There are two types of avian influenza:

  • Low pathogenicity (LPAI) which usually only causes mild respiratory disease in domestic poultry.
  • High pathogenicity (HPAI) which is the more virulent type formerly known as fowl plague which often results in up to a 100% flock mortality.

Implications of avian influenza

Welfare: The HPAI form of the disease may cause significant suffering over a limited time in infected birds. LPAI infections may cause less severe suffering, but this may be over a longer period. Exacerbation of LPAI by other organisms and environmental conditions may cause substantial welfare problems in infected poultry. Restrictions on movement could cause welfare problems e.g. broilers near market age.

Trade: An outbreak of HPAI would lead to a ban on exports of live birds, eggs and poultry products, at least initially. The degree to which this would affect the poultry and allied industries would depend on the extent of spread of the disease and the time taken to eradicate it.

Human health: AI viruses may represent a risk to humans, either by direct infection, which can be fatal, or as a result of mixing with human influenza virus. This may result in the emergence of a pandemic virus.

Impact on society: The impact on society of direct human infections is likely to be significant and disruptive. This has already happened with the high degree of public awareness and anxiety achieved in recent years. A pandemic virus would have an extreme effect on all aspects of society. HPAI in poultry may also have a considerable impact depending on its spread, costs and methods used for control.

What you can do

Defra has published information on how you can protect your birds from avian influenza. See Defra's advice for bird keepers.