Presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N2 and H7N1 in emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and rheas (Rhea americana): virus isolation and serologic findings.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N2 and H7N1 were isolated from emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and rheas (Rhea americana) in Texas and North Carolina. All the rheas and emus had a history of respiratory disease except one emu, which was clinically normal. The isolates were not pathogenic for chickens and turkeys under the conditions of the experiment. Humoral antibodies to all known hemagglutinin (H) subtypes except H10, H13, and H14 and to all nine neuraminidase (N) subtypes were found in emus and rheas in 11 states. Therefore, emus and rheas are susceptible to infection with several AIV subtypes.