Indonesia - Sumatra - Bird flu possibly circulating in ducks

[Gert van der Hoek]

Merangin, Jambi ::: Bird flu possibly circulating in ducks

Posted by Ida on May 11, 2010

Bangko ? Ducks in Kabupaten Merangin are infected by avian influenza, an observation of Agriculture, Food, Livestock and Fishery Service (Distanak) of Kabupaten Merangin revealed.

Nano Sudiyo Wiradat, Head of Distanak Kabupaten Merangin said avian influenza had emerged in Merangin since a year before and attacked chickens.

?We collected serum from duck populations, and several samples showed positive avian influenza,? said Nano.

Furthermore Nano mentioned that bird flu could remain in duck?s body for life, unlike chicken which would die within hours after infection.

So far the bird flu virus in Merangin has not been transmitted to humans. However, Nano pointed out, the virus from birds might jump and rapidly spread in human population when it had mutated.

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, Jambi Ekspres. http://www.jambiekspres.co.id/index....lu-burung.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Indonesia - Sumatra - Bird flu possibly circulating in ducks

Via email some comment from Ida:

Interesting. But I was hoping that they found bird flu in dead ducks, and they isolated the virus. But, it was living ducks and they only tested antibody titer.
Ducks are the reservoir of for low pathogenic AI.

As the officer mentioned, the low pathogenic virus could last in ducks for life. I regret the officer didn't mentioned the virus subtype.

Lot of suggestions:

1. the LPAI but not HPAI may be circulating in ducks without any apparent symptoms. I think, if the high pathogenic virus is circulating in ducks and they're alive, at least we will hear lot of dead chickens.

2. the ducks got exposure of HPAI from chickens around, they survived and the antibody remains.

In Europe we find LP Avian Influenza frequently, in ducks and other birds, for instance:

Italy - http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=121

Germany - http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=171

Denmark - http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=174