Avian influenza
- Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease and is declared as an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD).
- Avian Influenza is a potential zoonotic agent.
- Eradication of H5 and H7 from poultry is covered by a cost-sharing agreement with the poultry industries.
- Contact Customer Service to notify the laboratory when submitting samples for testing.
- For urgent assistance or advice contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
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
Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information
| Code | Name | Samples required | Species | Turnaround time | Price (excl. GST) | Notes | Test days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI_ABEL | Avian Influenza Antibody ELISA | LIVE BIRDS ONLY Clotted blood (Red top)
Contact Lab for suitable samples for porcine submissions. |
Up to 7D Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval. |
$18.35 |
D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. |
Batched tested weekly. |
||
| FLU_MATPCR | Avian Influenza A matrix Real-time PCR | LIVE BIRDSSwab (PBGS)
DEAD BIRDSSwab (PBGS)
Whole dead bird
Fresh tissue
|
1-2D* * Note: Turnaround time is dependent on urgency. |
$109.35 |
D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. |
According to demand* * Note: Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval. |
| 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
Order Media (PBGS)
- Viral transport media for AI exclusion can be obtained from your local District Veterinarian or EMAI (call 1800 675 623) or order directly from EMAI via our Online Media Order Page
- 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.
Packing and Submitting Suspect AI Samples
- 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.
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 Sample Collection Resources
Refer to AUSVET PLAN documents: https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ausvetplan/ for detailed information on sample collection- AUSVETPLAN: Avian Influenza V5.2. 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 |
Additional 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 | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| 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
Courier services and specimen delivery
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 |
