Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Migratory waterbirds and avian influenza in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway with particular reference to the 2003-2004 H5N1 outbreak
David S. Melville1 & Kennedy F. Shortridge2
1 Dovedale, R.D. 2 Wakefield, Nelson, New Zealand. (email: david.melville@xtra.co.nz)
2 Emeritus Professor, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; and Honorary Professor, Department of Molecular
Medicine and Pathology, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. (email: kennedyfs@xtra.co.nz)
ABSTRACT
Wild birds, especially waterfowl, can act as reservoirs for avian influenza A viruses and migrant wild birds may potentially transport viruses over long distances. Concern was expressed regarding the possible role of wild birds in the 2003-2004 outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in East/Southeast Asia, but it seems unlikely that they directly contributed to the spread of the disease. There is an urgent need for increased virus surveillance work together with studies to increase understanding of bird migration in the region.
INTRODUCTION
The outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in East and Southeast Asia in late 2003-early 2004 was unprecedented in both scale and severity. Over 100 million domestic poultry (mostly chickens) died or were slaughtered and there were 34 human cases, of which 23 were fatal (WHO 2004b, FAO 2004a). Media speculation suggested that wild birds had spread the virus (e.g. Kim 2004) and concern has been expressed regarding the potential pandemic threat posed by H5N1 (Guan et al. 2004).
This paper outlines the ecology of avian influenza, considers the possible role of wild birds in the 2003-2004 outbreak and highlights the urgent need for multidisciplinary studies.
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/pub07_waterbirds_part4.2.5.pdf
David S. Melville1 & Kennedy F. Shortridge2
1 Dovedale, R.D. 2 Wakefield, Nelson, New Zealand. (email: david.melville@xtra.co.nz)
2 Emeritus Professor, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; and Honorary Professor, Department of Molecular
Medicine and Pathology, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. (email: kennedyfs@xtra.co.nz)
ABSTRACT
Wild birds, especially waterfowl, can act as reservoirs for avian influenza A viruses and migrant wild birds may potentially transport viruses over long distances. Concern was expressed regarding the possible role of wild birds in the 2003-2004 outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in East/Southeast Asia, but it seems unlikely that they directly contributed to the spread of the disease. There is an urgent need for increased virus surveillance work together with studies to increase understanding of bird migration in the region.
INTRODUCTION
The outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in East and Southeast Asia in late 2003-early 2004 was unprecedented in both scale and severity. Over 100 million domestic poultry (mostly chickens) died or were slaughtered and there were 34 human cases, of which 23 were fatal (WHO 2004b, FAO 2004a). Media speculation suggested that wild birds had spread the virus (e.g. Kim 2004) and concern has been expressed regarding the potential pandemic threat posed by H5N1 (Guan et al. 2004).
This paper outlines the ecology of avian influenza, considers the possible role of wild birds in the 2003-2004 outbreak and highlights the urgent need for multidisciplinary studies.
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/pub07_waterbirds_part4.2.5.pdf
