Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

[Sally Furniss]

Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses
Posted 11/30/2006

Justin D. Brown; David E. Stallknecht; Joan R. Beck; David L. Suarez; David E. Swayne

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/546774

Abstract and Introduction
Abstract

Since 2002? H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have been associated with deaths in numerous wild avian species throughout Eurasia. We assessed the clinical response and extent and duration of viral shedding in 5 species of North American ducks and laughing gulls (Larus atricilla) after intranasal challenge with 2 Asian H5N1 HPAI viruses. Birds were challenged at ≈10 to 16 weeks of age? consistent with temporal peaks in virus prevalence and fall migration. All species were infected? but only wood ducks (Aix sponsa) and laughing gulls exhibited illness or died. Viral titers were higher in oropharyngeal swabs than in cloacal swabs. Duration of viral shedding (1?10 days) increased with severity of clinical disease. Both the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and agar gel precipitin (AGP) tests were able to detect postinoculation antibodies in surviving wood ducks and laughing gulls; the HI test was more sensitive than the AGP in the remaining 4 species.
Introduction

Free-living birds in the orders Anseriformes (ducks? geese? swans) and Charadriiformes (gulls? terns? shore birds) have traditionally been considered the natural reservoirs for avian influenza viruses (AIVs).[1?2] However? before 2005? no evidence showed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses were maintained in wild bird populations. Rather? HPAI viruses evolved independent of wildlife reservoirs when wild-type AIVs were introduced and adapted to domestic poultry populations.[3] One exception occurred in 1961 when a high proportion of deaths in common terns (Sterna hirundo) in South Africa was attributed to an H5N3 HPAI virus without evidence of prior infection in domestic poultry.[4] However? this tern epizootic was limited? and the virus did not become endemic in any wild bird population.

In 2002? a substantial number of deaths associated with H5N1 HPAI virus infection were reported in captive ducks? geese? and flamingos housed within 2 waterfowl parks in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region? People?s Republic of China.[5] Free-living gray herons (Ardea cinerea) and black-headed gulls (Larus ridbundus) also died during these outbreaks. Since 2002? sporadic deaths in wild birds? associated with H5N1 HPAI? have continued.[6] Beginning in spring 2005? H5N1 HPAI outbreaks involving large numbers of wild birds were reported? and the subsequent spread of these viruses to Europe and Africa suggests that migratory birds may have been responsible for the long-range movement of these viruses. However? which wild avian species are important in H5N1 HPAI movement and whether these viruses will be established in free-living avian populations is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the susceptibility of critical species of North American waterfowl to 2 H5N1 HPAI viruses and the potential impact of these species on the epidemiology of the viruses in North America.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

<dl class="AbstractPlusReport"><dt class="head">J Wildl Dis. 2007 Oct;43(4):660-7. <script language="JavaScript1.2"><!-- var Menu17984261 = [ ["UseLocalConfig", "jsmenu3Config", "", ""], ["LinkOut", "window.top.location='/sites/entrez?Cmd=ShowLinkOut&Db=pubmed&TermToSearch=17984261&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus' ", "", ""] ] --></script>Links
</dt><dd class="abstract"> Susceptibility of wood ducks to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

<!--AuthorList-->Brown JD, Stallknecht DE, Valeika S, Swayne DE.
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. jbrown@vet.uga.edu
Since 2002, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have caused mortality in numerous species of wild birds; this is atypical for avian influenza virus (AIV) infections in these avian species, especially for species within the order Anseriformes. Although these infections document the susceptibility of wild birds to H5N1 HPAI viruses and the spillover of these viruses from infected domestic birds to wild birds, it is unknown whether H5N1 HPAI viruses can persist in free-living avian populations. In a previous study, we established that wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are highly susceptible to infection with H5N1 HPAI viruses. To quantify this susceptibility and further evaluate the likelihood of H5N1 HPAI viral maintenance in a wild bird population, we determined the concentration of virus required to produce infection in wood ducks. To accomplish this, 25 wood ducks were inoculated intranasally at 12-16 wk of age with decreasing concentrations of a H5N1 HPAI virus (A/Whooper Swan/Mongolia/244/05 [H5N1]). The median infectious dose and the lethal dose of H5N1 HPAI virus in wood ducks were very low (10(0.95) and 10(1.71) median embryo infectious dose [EID(50)]/ml, respectively) and less than that of chickens (10(2.80) and 10(2.80) EID(50)/ml). These results confirm that wood ducks are highly susceptible to infection with H5N1 HPAI virus. The data from this study, combined with what is known experimentally about H5N1 HPAI virus infection in wood ducks and viral persistence in aquatic environments, suggest that the wood duck would represent a sensitive indicator species for H5N1 HPAI. Results also suggest that the potential for decreased transmission efficiency associated with reduced viral shedding (especially from the cloaca) and a loss of environmental fitness (in water), may be offset by the ability of this virus to be transmitted through a very low infectious dose.
PMID: 17984261 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
</dd></dl>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA

 

[cartski]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Wood ducks ?? In Georgia ?

Years ago we woke up to th early morning sun streaming in the window, and the shadow of two wood ducks doing a two-step on a branch of an old oak tree. Seriously.

Here is Winnipeg, wood ducks are few and far between. Riveside residents go to great lengths to created cozy tree condos for them. Not as colourful as the blue martin hotels, but still pampered.

But are they really that numerous in North America? And do they travel from oversees? Wouldn't a study using Canada Geese be more informative, certainly after one has died in England recently from H5?

Or perhaps Pelicans - now I can imagine them in Georgia, but up here, they are also very fun to see.

J.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Wood Duck

<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td id="sciname" valign="top" width="30%">Aix sponsa</td> <td valign="top" width="70%">Order ANSERIFORMES - Family ANATIDAE - Subfamily Anatinae</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="41" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="bottom" width="5">

</td> <td valign="bottom" width="151"></td> <td valign="bottom">

</td> <td class="tabbg" width="100%">For complete Life History Information on this species, visit Birds of North America Online.
</td></tr> </tbody></table> <!-- Begin box1 -->

Wood Duck, male, breeding plumage
About the photographs
About the map

Play sound from this species

Wood Duck, female, Iroquois NWR NY

Wood Duck, male, non-breeding plumage

<!-- End box1 -->A colorful duck of wooded swamps and streamsides, the Wood Duck is one of only a few North American ducks that nest in trees. Many people consider it to be the most beautiful of all waterfowl.
Cool Facts

• Natural cavities for nesting are scarce, and the Wood Duck readily uses nest boxes provided for it. If nest boxes are placed too close together, many females lay eggs in the nests of other females. These "dump" nests can have up to 40 eggs.
• The Wood Duck nests in trees near water, sometimes directly over water, but other times up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to water. The mother calls them to her, but does not help them in any way. The ducklings may jump from heights of up to 89 m (290 ft) without injury.
• The Wood Duck is a popular game bird, and is second only to the Mallard in numbers shot each year in the United States.
• Wood Ducks pair up in January, and most birds arriving at the breeding grounds in the spring are already paired. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year.

Description

• Size: 47-54 cm (19-21 in)
• Wingspan: 66-73 cm (26-29 in)
• Weight: 454-862 g (16.03-30.43 ounces)

• Medium-sized duck.
• Crest on head.
• Long tail.
• White patches in face.

• Long, broad wings.
• Small triangular bill.
• Iridescent blue-green patch (speculum) on rear of wing, with white trailing edge.
• Male colorful and distinctive.

Sex Differences

Male brightly patterned, female dull gray brown.
Male

Breeding (Alternate) Plumage: Head iridescent green and purple. Long crest green, purple. Thin white line extending from bill, over the eye, to the back of the crest. Throat white with two finger-like projections onto face and neck. Bill red, with thin yellow at base and dark tip. Eyes red. Chest deep reddish. White stripe extending up side of chest; black bar behind it. Sides yellowish gold, bordered in black and surrounded by white line. Back black with metallic sheen. Undertail reddish violet. Tail black with bronzy sheen. Belly white.
Nonbreeding (Basic) Plumage: Head and body gray. Head without long crest, but bushy. Throat white with extension up face and neck. Crown dark. Thin white line extending behind eye. Wings iridescent bluish. Bill dull red.
Female

Bushy crest on head. Head and cheek gray with bronze and purple sheen. White area around eye, tapers to rear. Chin and throat white. Upperparts olive or gray with metallic sheen. Breast gray-brown with tan streaks. Belly and under tail white. Sides brown. Tail dark. Bill dark with thin white line at base.
Immature

Similar to adult female. Upperparts brownish gray. Cheek light gray. White circle around eye. Throat white, with projections onto face and neck in males. Crown dark. Dark stripe extending back from eye.
Similar Species

• Breeding male unmistakable.
• Female Hooded Merganser similarly shaped and in same habitats, but lacks white around eye, lacks any streaking on body, and has white, not green, in the speculum.

Sound

Female makes loud "oo-eek, oo-eek" when disturbed and taking flight. Male has thin, rising and falling zeeting whistle.
?listen to songs of this species

Range

Range Map

? 2003 Cornell Lab of Ornithology
About the map

<!-- end box7 --> Summer Range

Breeds from southern Canada, throughout the eastern half of the United States, southward to Cuba. In the West, breeds from British Columbia southward along Pacific Coast to southern California, and at scattered locations inland.
Winter Range

Winters in southern three-quarters of breeding range, and in Southwest.
Habitat

Found in forested wetlands, including along rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, and lakes.
Food

Seeds, acorns, fruits, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
Behavior

Foraging

Moves rapidly and pecks and dabbles on water surface. May tip-up or dive for submerged food items.
Reproduction

Nest Type

Nest in preformed cavities in trees or nest boxes. Lined with down from female's breast.
Egg Description

Glossy creamy white to tan.
Clutch Size

Usually 6-15 eggs. Range: 6-40.Condition at Hatching

Hatch covered in down and able to leave the nest soon after.
Conservation Status

Declined dramatically in late 19th century, but recovered in 20th. Current populations stable or increasing.
Other Names

Canard branchu (French)
Pato de charreteras (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Hepp, G. R., and F. C. Bellrose. 1995. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). In The Birds of North America, No. 169 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck_dtl.html

 

[cartski]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Wood ducks may be modern day "canaries in the coal mine" due to their low sensitivity to infection, but geese may bring the virus to humans on a large scale.....

See:

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/682/articles/introduction


"Studies of urban-suburban populations have implicated Canada Goose feces in the eutrophication of small ponds and lakes, as well as the contamination of school yards, parks, and boating and swimming areas (Conover and Chasko 1985, Cooper and Keefe 1997), and the possibility of disease transmission to humans from direct contact with fecal material or contaminated water (Conover and Chasko 1985, Allan et al. 1995, Cooper and Keefe 1997, Feare et al. 1999, Smith et al. 1999). We are beginning to understand the reproductive biology of urban-suburban populations with studies like those of Conover 1998 and Gosser and Conover 1999, and are now applying management strategies based on their findings."

J.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Results also suggest that the potential for decreased transmission efficiency associated with reduced viral shedding (especially from the cloaca) and a loss of environmental fitness (in water), may be offset by the ability of this virus to be transmitted through a very low infectious dose.

Interesting study.

There was a post here about the AI carriers by species. I believe the mallard had the highest rate of infection/carrier status, with the American Black duck as second. Whether that was just the Americas, or global, I'm not sure.

While this study refers to the infection rate, we're frequently reading of waterfowl as asymptomatic carriers.

My question is: can the waterfowl become asymptomatic carriers without becoming infected?

I'm inclined to say yes, but I'd like to hear from someone like Mingus, who actually tests them. Also, isn't this part of the problem with tests not having sufficient sensitivity to catch some carriers?

.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Could Wood Ducks be useful as sentinels because they are uncommon and people notice when they see a dead one..a bit like people always noticing dead swans?

Canada geese could be useful as sentinels because there are so many of them?

 

[canagica]

Re: Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl

Wood ducks ?? In Georgia ?

Wouldn't a study using Canada Geese be more informative, certainly after one has died in England recently from H5?

J.

I think the reason that Wood Ducks were among the species experimented on was because an earlier study showed them to be highly sensitive to H5N1:

Although these infections document the susceptibility of wild birds to H5N1 HPAI viruses and the spillover of these viruses from infected domestic birds to wild birds, it is unknown whether H5N1 HPAI viruses can persist in free-living avian populations. In a previous study, we established that wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are highly susceptible to infection with H5N1 HPAI viruses. To quantify this susceptibility and further evaluate the likelihood of H5N1 HPAI viral maintenance in a wild bird population, we determined the concentration of virus required to produce infection in wood ducks.