Fujita R, Tachi T, Hino M, Nagata K, Saiki M, Inum. Blowflies are potential vector for avian influenza virus at enzootic area in Japan. Sci Rep. 2024 May 4;14(1):10285
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to both domestic and wild birds globally. The avian influenza virus, known for environmental contamination and subsequent oral infection in birds, necessitates careful consideration of alternative introduction routes during HPAI outbreaks. This study focuses on blowflies (genus Calliphora), in particular Calliphora nigribarbis, attracted to decaying animals and feces, which migrate to lowland areas of Japan from northern or mountainous regions in early winter, coinciding with HPAI season. Our investigation aims to delineate the role of blowflies as HPAI vectors by conducting a virus prevalence survey in a wild bird HPAI-enzootic area. In December 2022, 648 Calliphora nigribarbis were collected. Influenza virus RT-PCR testing identified 14 virus-positive samples (2.2% prevalence), with the highest occurrence observed near the crane colony (14.9%). Subtyping revealed the presence of H5N1 and HxN1 in some samples. Subsequent collections in December 2023 identified one HPAI virus-positive specimen from 608 collected flies in total, underscoring the potential involvement of blowflies in HPAI transmission. Our observations suggest C. nigribarbis may acquire the HPAI virus from deceased wild birds directly or from fecal materials from infected birds, highlighting the need to add blowflies as a target of HPAI vector control.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Mechanism of co-transcriptional cap snatching by influenza polymerase 19 hours ago
- Understanding spatiotemporal clustering of seasonal influenza in the United States 19 hours ago
- [preprint]Pathogenesis of H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b in dry Jersey cows following intramammary inoculation shows within-host compartmentalization 19 hours ago
- [preprint]Optimizing an avian influenza vaccine using a novel Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) TLR4 adjuvant 19 hours ago
- Lack of Respiratory Droplet Transmission of Two Recent Human Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in Female Ferrets 3 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


