Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in falcons

Cause: Influenza A H5N1 / H5N8 (clade 2.3.4.4b and others) · Type: Viral

Other names: Avian influenza، Flu

Symptoms

• Sudden death
• Neurological signs
• Severe lethargy
• Respiratory discharge

Diagnosis

PCR in an accredited laboratory; a notifiable disease reported to the official authorities.

Treatment

No treatment; official notification and isolation. Vaccination provided protection in falcons in a study (Lierz 2007) and in a trial on gyrfalcon × saker hybrids.

Prevention

Avoid feeding wild birds or poultry of unknown source, be careful with hunting quarry (houbara/waterbirds), quarantine new birds.

Season

With the migration season of wild birds (autumn-winter); an estimate. In Saudi Arabia 62.5% of the falcons that came into contact with infected houbara died.

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.