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.

Since the first turkey was diagnosed in the United States in 2009, 24 states have detected LPDV within their wild turkey populations, including our neighboring state of Colorado. Of the states where LPDV has been detected, only Arizona and Colorado currently test for the virus (as of 2020).