NSW Department of Primary Industries

Avian influenza

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Description

Avian influenza is caused by Type A influenza viruses. A wide variety of birds can be infected and affected, including chickens, turkeys, quail, pheasants, pigeons, emus, ostriches, ducks, geese as well as many aviary and wild bird species.

The pathogenicity of avian influenza can vary depending on virus subtype and infected species. Though possible, rarely do any of the subtypes that infect birds affect humans. The various virus subtypes are classified depending on their severity in poultry as high or low pathogenicity. Avian influenza should particularly be considered when there is a high and continuing mortality in birds, particularly poultry.

In birds, the H5 and H7 subtypes are the viruses most commonly associated with disease outbreaks. Avian influenza due to H5 or H7 is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). However, in NSW infection of birds with any influenza virus is notifiable.

Avian influenza viruses are carried by wild birds, particularly waterfowl, usually without causing any apparent clinical disease. However, handling dead wild birds should be done with adequate biosecurity precautions to minimize further spread of infectious agents and reduce the potential for human infection with both influenza and other agents such as Chlamydia.

Differential diagnoses include acute fowl cholera, respiratory disease complex and other exotic diseases such as Newcastle disease.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of avian influenza is suggested by high and continuing mortality in birds, particularly poultry. Clinical signs can be variable but may include pyrexia, depression, respiratory distress, decreased egg production, facial swelling and oedema, blotching of skin on leg shanks, nervous signs (tremors, head shaking) and diarrhoea.

Necropsy may reveal:

  • Mild to moderate peritonitis
  • Congestion and haemorrhage of the caecal tonsils and/or enteritis
  • Mild to moderate acute respiratory disease and/or tracheitis
  • Oedema, congestion and even necrosis of the comb and wattles.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Avian influenza antibody ELISA

Clotted blood (red top tube)

Batched tested weekly

Up to 7D2

Avian influenza type A real-time PCR

Fresh tissue or swab (PBGS)

According to demand2

1-2 days2

Avian Influenza virus (subtype H5/H7) antibody  HI

Clotted blood (red top tube)

According to demand

Up to 7D1

1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.
3 Turnaround time is dependent on urgency.

Movement and treatment of sick birds

Read the best practice guide for private veterinarians on how the risk of HPAI spread may be minimised by veterinary clinics in NSW with recommended practices to be employed:

  • before an avian patient presents to a clinic
  • at the clinic
  • for collection and submission of samples.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Refer to AUSVET PLAN documents: https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ausvetplan/ for detailed information on sample collection. Representative samples should be collected if avian influenza is strongly suspected.

Samples to collect for laboratory testing:

Submitted Samples Dead bird Live bird
Tracheal or Oropharyngeal Swabs Yes (preferred as minimum) Yes (preferred as minimum)
Fresh tissue Yes (spleen, lung, kidney) N/A
Whole birds Yes Must not be submitted
Blood (without anticoagulant) N/A Yes

Specimen information

Swabs
  • Separate cloacal and tracheal or throat (oropharyngeal) swabs should be submitted in viral transport medium (PBGS) and with clear labels of bird and tissue sampled.
  • Use sterile swabs (Paediatric swabs can be used for small birds)
  • Submit chilled.

Viral transport media for AI exclusion can be obtained from your local District Veterinarian or EMAI (call 1800 675 623) or https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/services/laboratory-services/kits-and-media/order-media.

DO NOT use commercially prepared swabs with plastic sleeves that contain transport medium. In an emergency if PBGS is not available, swabs should be placed in 2 ml sterile saline.

Fresh tissue
  • Collect several tissue cubes of about 1cm in separate containers and well labelled.
  • Submit chilled.
Dead birds
  • Double bagged and clearly identified as suspect avian influenza; and then packed securely.
  • Swabs should also be collected from dead birds on the farm before sending the carcasses and swabs to the laboratory for examination
Blood
  • At least 0.5ml of serum is required from blood collected into a plain red top tube.
  • Sample both affected and unaffected birds.
  • Submit chilled.
Packing and submitting
  • Clearly label specimens as Suspect Avian Influenza.
  • A Suspect Avian Influenza warning should also be placed under the lid of the outer package. This will ensure specific biosecurity precautions are undertaken at the laboratory.
  • Pack specimens securely (i.e. double bag and send in a rigid container) and forward to the laboratory separate from any other specimens.
  • Contact Customer Service to provide advance notice of your submission. This will allow specific biosecurity precautions to be undertaken at the laboratory.

Note

  • Fees for tests undertaken to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of Avian influenza are paid by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). Extra testing to establish an alternative diagnosis is at submitters’ expense.
  • Non approved after-hours submissions will incur a handling fee. Customers should contact Customer Service to seek advice on submission and approval requirements.

Further information

Submission Forms

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

NSW DPIRD's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone1800 675 623
Email

laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au

Operating Hours

8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)

8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)

Postal Address

Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Courier services and specimen delivery

Packing and submitting
  • Clearly label specimens as Suspect Avian Influenza.
  • A Suspect Avian Influenza warning should also be placed under the lid of the outer package. This will ensure specific biosecurity precautions are undertaken at the laboratory.
  • Pack specimens securely (i.e. double bag and send in a rigid container) and forward to the laboratory separate from any other specimens.
  • Contact Customer Service to provide advance notice of your submission. This will allow specific biosecurity precautions to be undertaken at the laboratory.

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type

Laboratory

Street Address

Animal (including aquatic animals)

NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)

EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au