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Influenza Other Respi Viruses. 2013 Jul 29. doi: 10.1111/irv.12143. [Epub ahead of print]
H9N2 influenza viruses from birds used in falconry.
Wernery U, Shanmuganatham KK, Krylov PS, Joseph S, Friedman K, Krauss S, Webster RG.
Source
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
H9N2 avian influenza viruses continue to spread in poultry and wild birds throughout Eurasia.
OBJECTIVES:
To characterize H9N2 influenza viruses from pheasants, quail, and white-bellied bustards (WBBs) used to train falcons in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS:
Four H9N2 viruses were isolated from pheasants, quail, and WBB used for falconry in the UAE, and antigenic, molecular, phylogenetic analysis, and invivo characterization of H9N2 viruses were performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The pheasant and WBB isolates were antigenically and molecularly clearly related and along with the quail isolates contained multiple "avian-human" substitutions. The release of smuggled H9N2-infected birds for falconry may contribute to the spread of these viruses to wild birds, domestic poultry, and humans.
? 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
KEYWORDS:
Falconry, H9N2 avian influenza viruses, Middle East, genetic mixing, white-bellied bustard
PMID:
23889772
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
H9N2 influenza viruses from birds used in falconry.
Wernery U, Shanmuganatham KK, Krylov PS, Joseph S, Friedman K, Krauss S, Webster RG.
Source
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
H9N2 avian influenza viruses continue to spread in poultry and wild birds throughout Eurasia.
OBJECTIVES:
To characterize H9N2 influenza viruses from pheasants, quail, and white-bellied bustards (WBBs) used to train falcons in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS:
Four H9N2 viruses were isolated from pheasants, quail, and WBB used for falconry in the UAE, and antigenic, molecular, phylogenetic analysis, and invivo characterization of H9N2 viruses were performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The pheasant and WBB isolates were antigenically and molecularly clearly related and along with the quail isolates contained multiple "avian-human" substitutions. The release of smuggled H9N2-infected birds for falconry may contribute to the spread of these viruses to wild birds, domestic poultry, and humans.
? 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
KEYWORDS:
Falconry, H9N2 avian influenza viruses, Middle East, genetic mixing, white-bellied bustard
PMID:
23889772
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
