[citation needed] Avian metaavulavirus 2 has been known to cause disease, specifically mild respiratory infections in domestic poultry, including turkeys and chickens, and has many economic effects on egg production and poultry industries.

Avian metaavulavirus 2 is a negative sense RNA virus with a monopartite genome.

The members of the Paramyxoviridae family, including Avian metaavulavirus 2, follow the 'rule of six,' having a genome length that is a multiple of six.

It has been hypothesized by electron microscopy, that the genome assumes a left-handed helical structure.

[10] The genome encodes six viral proteins that are separated from each other via intergenic regions that are between 3-23 nucleotides long.

[12] The Hn protein is made up of a stalk and a globular head that contains receptor-binding capabilities that bind to sialic acid receptors located on cells in the upper respiratory tract of the host.

[13] It is believed that the matrix protein (M) on the inner face of the viral envelope plays a major role in the budding of virus-like particles from the infected host cell.

[8] However, certain serotypes of avian paramyxovirus do not show syncytium formation, only cell rounding.

[5] It has also been shown that model birds infected with isolates of Avian metaavulavirus 2 experience diarrhea and show enlarged pancreas.

The viral envelope protein, Hn, binds to sialic acid residues present in cells in the upper respiratory tract.

[9] It is believed that more severe symptoms including sinusitis and a decrease in egg production occurs in turkeys.

Avian metaavulavirus 2 has been reported in birds in Europe, Asia and North and South America.