Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV): Background
Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV) is an infectious virus that can cause cancer in wild turkeys. To date, very little is known about how the virus is spread or what other harmful effects it may have. We have confirmed that the virus is present in Arizona’s Merriam’s turkey populations. The department continues to monitor for the disease until further research determines if it is harmful to each of Arizona's three turkey species.
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Since the first turkey was diagnosed in the United States in Arkansas in 2009, 33 states and 3 Canadian provinces have detected LPDV within their wild turkey populations, including our neighboring state of Colorado.