ABSTRACT
Avian influenza virus (AIV) is type A influenza that is adapted to avian hosts. Although the virus can be isolated from numerous avian species, the natural reservoir species are dabbling ducks, shorebirds, and gulls. Domestic poultry species (poultry being defined as birds, their eggs, or progeny that are raised for consumption) are generally not natural hosts. Some species of domestic ducks are a special case because they are closely enough related to dabbling ducks that they are easily infected with AIV and can carry the virus asymptomatically.
