The Role of Wild Birds in the Global Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2025 | Viewed by 37
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Wild birds and avian influenza viruses have a long common history. Originally, wild waterbird reservoirs of the orders Anseriformes (such as, ducks, geese, and swans) and Charadriiformes (such as, gulls, terns, and waders) hosted the low pathogenic form of the virus. More recently, wild birds have been found to host the highly pathogenic form of the virus. In addition, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been implicated in global epizootics and has caused mass mortality in several wild bird species worldwide.
Both the low pathogenic and highly pathogenic virus are carried by wild birds over large distances and can spread globally along the migratory flyways. This Special Issue aims to present novel research that further defines the role of wild birds in the global spread of avian influenza viruses.
We encourage submissions that address the presence of avian influenza virus in historical wild bird hosts, as well as in novel wild bird host species. We are particularly interested in studies that investigate national and international surveillance efforts and the geographic spread of the virus, including spillover events among avian populations. Furthermore, we seek contributions that explore the drivers of infection, the factors that influence disease severity, and the potential for zoonotic transmission.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Valentina Caliendo
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- avian influenza viruses
- wild birds
- migration
- surveillance
- epidemiological investigation
- outbreak
- intra- and cross-species transmission
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