Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 viruses have been recognized as threats to public health in Bangladesh since 2007. Although live bird markets (LBMs) have been implicated in the transmission, dissemination, and circulation of these viruses, an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of avian transmission of H5N1 and H9N2 viruses at the human–animal interface has been lacking. Here we present and evaluate epidemiological findings from active surveillance conducted among poultry in various production sectors in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2016. Overall, the prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in collected samples was 24%. Our data show that AIVs are more prevalent in domestic birds within LBMs (30.4%) than in farms (9.6%). Quail, chickens and ducks showed a high prevalence of AIVs (>20%). The vast majority of AIVs detected (99.7%) have come from apparently healthy birds and poultry drinking water served as a reservoir of AIVs with a prevalence of 32.5% in collected samples. HPAI H5N1 was more frequently detected in ducks while H9N2 was more common in chickens and quail. LBMs, particularly wholesale markets, have become a potential reservoir for various types of AIVs, including HPAI H5N1 and LPAI H9N2. The persistence of AIVs in LBMs is of great concern to public health, and this study highlights the importance of regularly reviewing and implementing infection control procedures as a means of reducing the exposure of the general public to AIVs.Emerging Microbes & Infections (2017) 6, e12; doi:10.1038/emi.2016.142; published online 8 March 2017
Highlights
Active surveillance is key to our understanding of influenza A viruses (IAVs) currently circulating in humans and animals throughout the world
Avian influenza has been a persistent problem and threat to public health in Bangladesh since 2007.16 Despite the fact that many studies have been conducted in countries such as China on the effect live bird markets (LBMs) have on the dissemination of Avian influenza viruses (AIVs),[17,18,19,20] to date, there are no studies that provide in-depth analyses on the dynamics of transmission of avian influenza H5N1 and H9N2 viruses within live poultry markets in Bangladesh
The similarity of the detection rate of AIVs in oropharyngeal samples and in water troughs suggests that the close proximity of poultry housed in LBMs, the shedding of H9N2 from the oral cavity and the sharing of the same water troughs facilitate the dissemination of AIVs
Summary
Active surveillance is key to our understanding of influenza A viruses (IAVs) currently circulating in humans and animals throughout the world. Waterfowl are the natural reservoir of most IAVs that have been detected in other avian and mammalian species.[1] Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), replicate in the respiratory and/or digestive tracts of infected birds.[2] Transmission of AIVs to domestic poultry naturally occurs at interfaces where wild birds and domestic poultry co-exist. AIVs are typically transmitted to humans as a result of exposure to infected domestic birds.[1] Through active longitudinal surveillance of both domestic and wild birds, we can determine the prevalence of these viruses, and obtain a better understanding of their transmission at the human–animal interface and develop strategies to mitigate the incidence of such transmission
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