Various studies have been carried out to
determine the role of pigeons in the spread of
avian influenza. These studies have determined
that pigeons are resistant or minimally
susceptible to infection with HPAIV or NPAIV and
probably play a minimal epidemiological
role in the spread of the viruses.
For further information see the following two
articles:
Pathogenicity of a Hong Kong-origin
H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus for
emus, geese, ducks, and
pigeons.
Perkins LE, Swayne
DE
Pigeons were inoculated intranasally
with A/chicken/Hong Kong/220/97 (H5N1) highly
pathogenic avian influenza virus. They seemed
resistant to infection not showing any clinical
signs or gross and histologic lesions and the
virus was not re-isolated.
Read Abstract
Susceptibility of pigeons to avian
influenza.
Panigrahy B, Senne DA,
Pedersen JC, Shafer AL, Pearson JE
Pigeons
were inoculated with non-pathogenic avian
influenza virus and highly pathogenic avian
influenza virus. The pigeons remained clinically
healthy and virus was not re-isolated.
Read Abstract |