Changes

Clinical signs are normally indicative of the disease.

Clinical signs are normally indicative of the disease.

Samples taken from dead birds should include intestinal contents (faeces) or cloacal swabs and pharyngeal swabs. Samples from trachea, lungs, air sacs, intestine, spleen, kidney, brain, liver, and heart may also be collected and processed either separately or as a pool. Samples from live birds should include both tracheal and cloacal swabs, although the latter are most likely to yield virus. Because small, delicate birds may be harmed by swabbing, the collection of fresh faeces may serve as an adequate alternative. To optimize the chances of virus isolation, it is recommended that at least 1 gm of faeces be processed either as faeces or coating the swab.

Samples taken from dead birds should include intestinal contents (faeces) or cloacal swabs and pharyngeal swabs. Samples from trachea, lungs, air sacs, intestine, spleen, kidney, brain, liver, and heart may also be collected and processed either separately or as a pool. Samples from live birds should include both tracheal and cloacal swabs, although the latter are most likely to yield virus. Because small, delicate birds may be harmed by swabbing, the collection of fresh faeces may serve as an adequate alternative. To optimize the chances of virus isolation, it is recommended that at least 1 gm of faeces be processed either as faeces or coating the swab.

<font color="red">'''Humans''' – infections cannot be diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms alone; laboratory testing is required. Avian influenza A virus infection is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat of the sick person during the first few days of illness. This specimen is sent to a lab; the laboratory looks for avian influenza A virus either by using a molecular test (RT-PCR), by trying to grow the virus, or both. (Growing avian influenza A viruses should only be done in laboratories with high levels of protection).

<font color="red">'''Humans''' – infections cannot be diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms alone; laboratory testing is required. Avian influenza A virus infection is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat of the sick person during the first few days of illness. This specimen is sent to a lab; the laboratory looks for avian influenza A virus either by using a molecular test (RT-PCR), by trying to grow the virus, or both. (Growing avian influenza A viruses should only be done in laboratories with high levels of protection).

For critically ill patients, collection and testing of lower respiratory tract specimens may lead to a diagnosis. For some patients who are no longer very sick or who have fully recovered, it may be difficult to find the avian influenza A virus in the specimen that was collected, using these methods. It can take several weeks to verify the results, and testing must be performed in a special laboratory, such as at CDC. Further information</font color>

For critically ill patients, collection and testing of lower respiratory tract specimens may lead to a diagnosis. For some patients who are no longer very sick or who have fully recovered, it may be difficult to find the avian influenza A virus in the specimen that was collected, using these methods. It can take several weeks to verify the results, and testing must be performed in a special laboratory, such as at CDC. Further information</font color>