Abstract
Avian influenza virus (AIV) remains a huge challenge for poultry production with negative repercussions for micro- and macro-economy and public health in Bangladesh. High (HP) H5N1 and low pathogenicity (LP) H9N2 AIV are currently endemic in poultry, and both have been reported to infect humans sporadically. Multiple virus introductions of different clades of HPAIV H5N1, reassorted genotypes, and on-going diversification of LPAIV H9N2 create a highly volatile virological environment which potentially implicates increased virulence, adaptation to new host species, and subsequent zoonotic transmission. Allotropy of poultry rearing systems and supply chains further increase the risk of virus spreading, which leads to human exposure and fosters the emergence of new potentially pre-pandemic virus strains. Here, we review the epidemiology, focusing on (i) risk factors for virus spreading, (ii) viral genetic evolution, and (iii) options for AIV control in Bangladesh. It is concluded that improved control strategies would profit from the integration of various intervention tools, including effective vaccination, enhanced biosecurity practice, and improved awareness of producers and traders, although widespread household poultry rearing significantly interferes with any such strategies. Nevertheless, continuous surveillance associated with rapid diagnosis and thorough virus characterization is the basis of such strategies.
Highlights
Influenza A viruses (IAVs), belonging to the family Orthomyxoviridae [1], are an important cause of respiratory infections of humans and many other species of mammals and birds
These viruses have proven ability to mutate in poultry from low pathogenicity (LP) precursors circulating in wild birds into high pathogenicity (HP) viruses that multiply systemically in chickens, often causing very high mortality in infected flocks [12]
We focus on specific poultry rearing and trading habits in the country and examine their potential impact as risk factors for virus spread and zoonotic transmission
Summary
Influenza A viruses (IAVs), belonging to the family Orthomyxoviridae [1], are an important cause of respiratory infections of humans and many other species of mammals and birds. AIVs of subtypes H5 and H7 are the most important ones that cross to terrestrial poultry These viruses have proven ability to mutate in poultry from low pathogenicity (LP) precursors circulating in wild birds into high pathogenicity (HP) viruses that multiply systemically in chickens, often causing very high mortality in infected flocks [12]. The widespread continuous co-circulation of HPAIV H5N1 and LPAIV H9N2 bears increased risks for the potential generation of new sub- and genotypes of AIVs which constitute additional obstacles to virus eradication Both viruses cause significant economic damage in poultry production and threaten public health by their zoonotic propensity [27]. Preventive strategies are proposed to control and eradicate the disease in this specific framework
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