Clinical Signs

Incubation period of the virus is about 3-15days and usually death of the affected bird occurs in 24-48 hours.  

Sudden death of birds in large numbers over a period of 2-3 days, severe depression, drastic reduction in egg production, facial edema with swollen and cyanotic comb and wattles, coughing, sneezing, in coordination, staggering gait and diarrhoea are some of the symptoms observed in Avian Influenza infection in poultry.

Differential Diagnosis

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is easily confused with Velogenic Newcastle Disease (VVND), because the disease signs and postmortem lesions are similar, and may also be confused with Infectious Laryngotracheitis and acute bacterial diseases such as Fowl Cholera and Escherichia coli. However, in an outbreak, sound presumptive diagnoses of avian Influenza can be made by flock history, signs, and gross lesions.

Surveillance Measures

As the local and transcontinental migratory birds have started flocking in to various parts of the state, we have to be on alert for any untoward death or illness among the poultry especially in domestic ducks.  Forest Dept. has identified the following migratory areas in Kerala.

a.      Thiruvananthapuram        - Aakkulam and Veli

b.      Kollam                               - Kadanchira, Ashtamudi & Sasthamcottah

c.       Alappuzha, Kottayam & Ernakulam  - Vembanad lake

d.      Ernakulam                         - Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

e.       Thrissur and Malappuram  - Kole wetlands

f.        Malappuram                    - Purathur

g.      Kozhikkode                      - Kadalundi

h.      Kannur                             - Kattampally and Madakkara

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