Abstract
Background and Aim:LPAI H9N2 infection among the poultry population in Egypt constitutes an additional risk factor in the poultry industry. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in commercial and backyard chickens in Egypt. A 2-year survey of H9N2 AIV in chickens in farms and backyards was carried out in 2015 and 2016.Materials and Methods:Direct detection of H9N2 AIV was performed by detecting the virus in tracheal and cloacal swabs using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. A total of 20,421 samples were collected from chickens in farms and backyards in 26 Egyptian governorates.Results:In 2015, cases positive for H9N2 AIV numbered 388 (3.9%) out of 10,016 examined cases. However, in 2016, the total positive cases numbered 447 (4.3%) out of 10,405 examined cases. The prevalence of H9N2 AIV among chickens on commercial farms was 4.6% out of the 16,666 chickens examined. The rates of positive cases in 2015 and 2016 were 4.4% (349/7884) and 4.7% (417/8782), respectively. The prevalence of H9N2 AIV in backyard chickens was 1.8% (69/3755). The rates of positive cases in backyard chickens were 1.8% (39/2132) in 2015 and again 1.8% (30/1623) in 2016. The highest positivity rate of H9N2 in chicken farms was in Beni-Suef (61.5%) (8/13), whereas the highest positivity rate in backyard chickens was in Fayoum (8.2%) (8/97).Conclusion:The analysis of H9N2 infections among chicken farms and in backyard chickens in the different governorates of Egypt over 2 years indicated widespread infection throughout the country. Thus, continuous surveillance and implementation of control programs are warranted.
Highlights
Since the first detection of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry species in the USA in 1966 [1], the virus has spread widely among poultry populations in different countries globally
A few cases were vaccinated against H9 AIV (31 cases), while some cases were vaccinated against H5 AIV (482 cases)
The results shown in Table-3 and Figure-1 revealed that, over the 2-year surveillance period, the rate of H9N2 AIV infection was higher in chicken farms (4.6%) than in backyards (1.8%)
Summary
Since the first detection of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry species (in turkeys) in the USA in 1966 [1], the virus has spread widely among poultry populations in different countries globally. It has caused substantial economic losses in many countries in Asia and the Middle East [2,3]. A wide range of Avians can act as hosts of H9N2 AIV, including chickens [4], pigeons [5], turkeys, ducks, and geese [6]. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in commercial and backyard chickens in Egypt. A 2-year survey of H9N2 AIV in chickens in farms and backyards was carried out in 2015 and 2016
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