Egypt has experienced outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) since 2006. Tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected from three hundred and thirty four domestic poultry (one hundred and sixty eight ducks, one hundred and fifty six chickens, ten geese) from 50 houses from different parts in Aswan governorate. Tracheal and cloacal swabs were examined for the presence of avian influenza virus by real-time RT-PCR.  H5N8 genome was detected in 26 out of 334 examined birds, giving a ratio of 7.7%. The species wise distribution of RT-PCR results was 8.3%, 7.6%, 0.0% for ducks, chickens and geese respectively. Clinical signs of avian influenza were appeared on most of positive cases which have been examined for AI in the form of: significant mortality may be as high as 100% within 3-4 days after infection, respiratory signs such as (cough, sneezing and respiratory discharge), swelling and cyanosis in comb and wattles and some birds that survive longer exhibit nervous signs. The main clinical feature in ducks was nervous signs (torticollis, other unusual positions of the head and complete reluctance to move) with high mortality rate from 50% up to 100%.
 
In conclusion, the predominance of H5 infection indicates a need for continuous monitoring of AIV among avian species and the awareness against public health risk.