Duck hepatitis A virus

Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) 1, formerly called DHV-1, is one of three viruses which cause duck viral hepatitis (DVH), an acute, highly contagious, often-fatal viral infection of young ducklings. DHAV is the most virulent of the three viruses, and can cause mortality up to 95% in ducklings younger than 3 weeks old.

Duck hepatitis virus (DHV) was first reported in the United States in 1949 and was isolated in chicken embryos in 1950. DHAV-1, classified as a sole member of Picornavirus genus (Avihepatovirus), is the most virulent virus type which can cause mortality up to 95% in ducklings younger than 3 weeks old (only Mallard and Pekin breeds). Duck astrovirus type 1 (DAstV-1) and type 2 (DAstV-2 belonging to the genus (Avastrovirus) in the family Astroviridae in addition to a member of the hepadnavirus group [duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV)] are etiologically associated with liver disease in ducks as well

Wild birds and rodents may serve as mechanical vectors or host reservoirs for DHAV.