Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (all subtypes) (Infection with)

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by members of the genus Influenzavirus A (Orthomyxoviridae family) and is further divided into two categories: low-pathogenicity and high-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI and HPAI, respectively). These viruses are enveloped with a segmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome. Having a segmented genome – in conjunction with error-prone replication strategies – allows this virus to undergo rapid genetic change by recombining with other influenza viruses to form different viral subtypes. For this reason, avian influenza is used to describe a collection of I nfluenzavirus A viruses that primarily infect birds.