Wild bird surveillance for avian influenza virus

Avian infl uenza (AI) viruses have been isolated from a wide-diversity of free-living avian species representingseveral taxonomic orders. Isolations are most frequently reported from aquatic birds in the OrdersAnseriformes and Charadriiformes , which are believed to be the primordial reservoirs for all AI viruses.Since fi rst recognized in the late 1800s, AI viruses have been an important agent of disease in poultry and,occasionally, of non-gallinaceous birds and mammals. However, recent infections of humans with AIviruses, including highly pathogenic avian infl uenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and low pathogenicity H7N9 AIvirus in China during 2013, have increased the awareness of their potential to impact agricultural, wildlife,and public health. This chapter is intended to give general concepts and guidelines for planning and implementingsurveillance programs for AI virus in wild birds.