Which birds are considered resistance reservoirs for Avian Influenza?

Ducks and geese are considered resistance reservoirs for Avian Influenza primarily due to their unique physiological traits and behaviors. These birds can carry the virus without showing signs of disease, which allows them to maintain their populations while still shedding the virus in their droppings. This shedding contributes to the spread of the virus to other birds.

Furthermore, the anatomy of ducks and geese enables them to tolerate the virus within their bodies better than other species, like chickens or turkeys, which are more susceptible to developing severe forms of the disease. This resistance makes ducks and geese important in the epidemiology of Avian Influenza, particularly in the wild where they often interact with domestic flocks.

In contrast, chickens and turkeys are typically more vulnerable to the pathogenic effects of Avian Influenza, often leading to severe outbreaks among their populations. Pigeons, while they can carry various diseases, are not recognized as significant reservoirs for Avian Influenza compared to waterfowl like ducks and geese.