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Surveillance of H5 Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds Found Dead

Sally Furniss

Well-known member
Avian Diseases

Article: pp. 100?105 | Full Text | PDF (940K)

Surveillance of H5 Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds Found Dead

Jonathan R. Happold<sup>A</sup>, Iris Brunhart<sup>B</sup>, Heinzpeter Schwermer<sup>B</sup>, and Katharina D.C. St?rk<sup>A</sup><sup>, B</sup>
A. Royal Veterinary College, Epidemiology Division, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom, B. Federal Veterinary Office, Monitoring, Schwarzenburgstrasse 155, CH-3003, Berne, Switzerland



Abstract

Wild birds are suspected to play a role in the spread of avian influenza H5N1; however, much remains unknown about the ecology and epidemiology of H5N1 in wild birds. Lake Constance is an important wetland area and was a focus for surveillance of dead wild birds between February and June 2006. Dead wild birds collected from the lake and surrounding regions were tested for avian influenza H5. This article provides a descriptive and spatial analysis of the data collected during this period and includes discussion of the strengths and limitations of this type of surveillance. The sampling of dead birds may provide a rapid and cost-effective means of detecting the presence of H5N1; however, such sampling is prone to certain biases and lacks sensitivity in detecting asymptomatic infections. The benefit of such surveillance will be enhanced by detailed ornithologic information, greater accuracy of spatially referenced data, and quantification of surveillance effort.



Resumen

Vigilancia epidemiol?gica del virus de influenza aviar H5 en aves silvestres encontradas muertas.
Las aves silvestres son sospechosas de jugar un papel en la transmisi?n del virus de influenza aviar H5N1; sin embargo, muchos detalles de la ecolog?a y la epidemiolog?a del virus H5N1 en estas aves a?n permanecen desconocidos. El lago Constanza en Suiza es una importante ?rea h?meda y fue el foco para la vigilancia epidemiol?gica de aves silvestres muertas entre Febrero y Junio del a?o 2006. Las aves silvestres recogidas del lago y regiones aleda?as fueron evaluadas para la presencia de influenza aviar H5. Este art?culo proporciona una descripci?n y el an?lisis espacial de los datos recolectados durante este periodo e incluye la discusi?n acerca de las fortalezas y las limitaciones de este tipo de vigilancia. El muestreo de las aves muertas puede proporcionar una r?pida y efectiva detecci?n de la presencia del virus H5N1; sin embargo, presenta la tendencia a ser parcial y carece de sensibilidad para la detecci?n de infecciones asintom?ticas. El beneficio de esta vigilancia puede aumentarse usando informaci?n ornitol?gica detallada, mayor precisi?n de los datos de referencia espacial y la cuantificaci?n de los esfuerzos de vigilancia epidemiol?gica.
Abbreviations: GIS = Geographical Information System; HA = hemagglutinin; HPAI = highly pathogenic avian influenza; NA = neuraminidase; rRT-PCR = real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
Keywords: avian influenza, H5N1, wild birds, Lake Constance, Bayesian methods, surveillance
Received: June 15, 2007; Accepted: November 13, 2007

http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1637/8021-051407-Reg&ct=1
 
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