Symptoms of avian flu in poultry

(From FAO web site)

The clinical signs are very variable and are influenced by factors such as the virulence of the infecting virus, species affected, age, sex, concurrent diseases and environment.

In virulent (or highly pathogenic) avian influenza of the type traditionally associated with fowl plague, the disease appears suddenly in a flock and many birds die either without premonitory signs or with minimal signs of depression, inappetence, ruffled feathers and fever. Other birds show weakness and a staggering gait. Hens may at first lay soft-shelled eggs, but soon stop laying. Sick birds often sit or stand in a semi-comatose state with their heads touching the ground. Combs and wattles are cyanotic and oedematous, and may have petechial or ecchymotic haemorrhages at their tips. Profuse watery diarrhoea is frequently present and birds are excessively thirsty. Respiration may be laboured. Haemorrhages may occur on unfeathered areas of skin. The mortality rate varies from 50 to 100%.

In broilers, the signs of disease are frequently less obvious with severe depression, lack of appetite, and a marked increase in mortality being the first abnormalities observed. Edema of the face and neck and neurological signs such as torticollis and ataxia may also be seen. The disease in turkeys is similar to that seen in layers, but it lasts 2 or 3 days longer and is occasionally accompanied by swollen sinuses. In domestic ducks and geese the signs of depression, lack of appetite, and diarrhea are similar to those in layers, though frequently with swollen sinuses. Younger birds may exhibit neurological signs.

Pathology

Birds that die of peracute disease may show minimal gross lesions, consisting of dehydration and congestion of viscera and muscles.

In birds that die after a prolonged clinical course, petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages occur throughout the body, particularly in the larynx, trachea, proventriculus and epicardial fat, and on serosal surfaces adjacent to the sternum. There is extensive subcutaneous oedema, particularly around the head and hocks. The carcase may be dehydrated. Yellow or grey necrotic foci may be present in the spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. The air sace may contain an exudate. The spleen may be enlarged and haemorrhagic.

Avian influenza is characterised histologically by vascular disturbances leading to edema, haemorrhages and perivascular cuffing, especially in the myocardium, spleen, lungs, brain and wattles. Necrotic foci are present in the lungs, liver and kidneys. Gliosis, vascular proliferaion and neuronal degeneration may be present in the brain.