Abstract
BackgroundThe H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus has been involved in severe mortality in domestic poultry, and has also been found in different species of wildlife in Europe. The Basque Country avian influenza surveillance program began sample collection and processing the fall of 2005.ResultsHere we report the first confirmation of the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 strain in a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) found dead in a pond near Vitoria in the Basque Country on the North of Spain. Regarding the survey for generic influenza type A virus, we have obtained positive results in about 8% of more that 3500 birds examined.ConclusionWe think that the self-limiting nature of our finding and others proves that certain regions have ecological, geographical and climatological features that make it difficult for the H5N1 virus to spread [1] and cause disease at least in the large scale scenario that has been worrying human and animal health authorities during the last years.
Highlights
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus has been involved in severe mortality in domestic poultry, and has been found in different species of wildlife in Europe
Here we report the first confirmation of the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 strain in a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) found dead in a pond near Vitoria in the Basque Country on the North of Spain
We think that the self-limiting nature of our finding and others proves that certain regions have ecological, geographical and climatological features that make it difficult for the H5N1 virus to spread [1] and cause disease at least in the large scale scenario that has been worrying human and animal health authorities during the last years
Summary
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus has been involved in severe mortality in domestic poultry, and has been found in different species of wildlife in Europe. The Basque Country avian influenza surveillance program began sample collection and processing the fall of 2005. The H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus has been circulating in different countries since its first detection in China in 1996 causing severe damages to the fowl industry in some regions. In Europe, it was first detected during fall of 2005 in Croatia and Romania, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). During 2006, it was reported from an important number of countries including Germany, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Czech Republic where it was involved in severe mortality in domestic poultry, and/or in different species of wildlife. We report the first confirmation of the presence of this viral strain in a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) found dead in a pond near Vitoria in the Basque Country on the North of Spain, as well as the results of generic influenza type A testing in the Basque Country
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