Avian influenza virus survival at 4°C compared to 20°C
Dr. Majid Hamid Al-Sayegh
15/ 10/ 2025
Quick summary: Government data and peer-reviewed studies agree with both figures: cold, moisture, and organic matter (feathers/soil/bedding) significantly prolong the virus’s survival, while heat and dry surfaces accelerate its inactivation (inspection.canada.ca+1) .
What do reliable sources say?
Survival figures at 20°C (room temperature): The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidelines summarize an approximate survival of: about 5 hours on skin, 1 day on fabrics, 3 days on bedding/plastic/rubber, 6 days on cardboard, 7 days in feces, 15 days on feathers, 18 days in soil, and up to 21 days in water; the same values shown in the figure (inspection.canada.ca) .
Survival figures at 4°C (cold environment).
The same source reports much longer survival: about 60 days (tank/feces/metal), 72 days on glass, 120 days in soiled bedding/soil, and 160 days on feathers. Note that survival in water varies from about 40 days at 4°C in seawater to nearly a year in ice (−20°C). EQCMA
The Effect of temperature on surfaces and liquids, (recent experimental evidence).
A study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases (2025) measured H5N1 persistence on various surfaces at 4°C and 22°C and showed that the half-life is significantly longer at 4°C compared to 22°C, supporting the “cold prolongs survival” model. CDC
Survival in Low-Temperature Water
Meta-analysis and laboratory studies show that influenza viruses can survive for weeks to months at 4°C in fresh/marine water, with the rate of inactivation increasing with increasing temperature and salinity. Examples: Survival of ≥200 days at 4°C in low-salinity water; Rapid deterioration at higher temperatures (PLOS+1).
Farm materials (litter, soil, feathers, manure).
A review in Avian Diseases compiles evidence that moist organic materials (litter/soil/feathers/feces) maintain infection for longer periods compared to dry, smooth surfaces, which explains the longer duration on feathers and soil (Meridian)
Epidemiological behavior of waterfowl (viral shedding).
The two figures note that waterfowl may shed virus up to 11 days after infection, supported by the official awareness leaflets accompanying the info graphic (CFIA. EQCMA).
Public health risk context
The updated Joint Assessment (FAO/WHO/WOAH, 2025) confirms that the global public health risk is currently low, but increases with occupational exposure and requires enhanced hygiene, waste management, and water, particularly because cold temperatures maintain environmental infections (WOAH+1)
Practical conclusion
Cold + Moisture + Organic Matter = Longer Survival (feathers, soil/bedding, cold water/ice).
Warmth + Dryness = Shorter Survival (skin, fabrics, cardboard, etc.), but water remains the relatively more dangerous reservoir even at 20°C (up to ~3 weeks) .
