Bossers A, de Rooij MM, van Schothorst I, Velkers. Detection of airborne wild waterbird-derived DNA demonstrates potential for transmission of avian influenza virus via air inlets into poultry houses, the Netherlands, 2021 to 2022. Euro Surveill. 2024 Oct;29(40)
BackgroundOutbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on poultry farms and in wild birds worldwide persists despite intensified control measures. It causes unprecedented mortality in bird populations and is increasingly affecting mammalian species. Better understanding of HPAI introduction pathways into farms are needed for targeted disease prevention and control. The relevance of airborne transmission has been suggested but research involving air sampling is limited and unequivocal evidence on transmission routes is lacking.AimWe aimed to investigate whether HPAI virus from wild birds can enter poultry houses through air inlets by characterising host materials through eukaryote DNA sequencing.MethodsWe collected particulate matter samples in and around three HPAI-affected poultry farms which were cleared and decontaminated before sampling. Indoor measurements (n = 61) were taken directly in the airflow entering through air inlets, while outdoor air samples (n = 60) were collected around the poultry house. Positive controls were obtained from a bird rehabilitation shelter. We performed metabarcoding on environmental DNA by deep sequencing 18S rRNA gene amplicons.ResultsWe detected waterbird DNA in air inside all three, and outside of two, poultry farms. Sequences annotated at species level included swans and tufted ducks. Waterbird DNA was present in all indoor and outdoor air samples from the bird shelter.ConclusionAirborne matter derived from contaminated wild birds can potentially introduce HPAI virus to poultry houses through air inlets. The eDNA metabarcoding could assess breaches in biosecurity for HPAI virus and other pathogens potentially transmitted through air via detection of their hosts.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- [preprint]Immune history shapes human antibody responses to H5N1 influenza viruses 1 hours ago
- Characterization of H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from bird in Russia with the E627K mutation in the PB2 protein 13 hours ago
- Low detection of H5N1 virus in commercial chickens with a low-level of vaccination coverage against H5N1 virus infection in Bangladesh 1 days ago
- Molecular evolution of human infection with H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus in Anhui province from 2013 to 2022 2 days ago
- Emerging Threats of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in US Dairy Cattle: Understanding Cross-Species Transmission Dynamics in Mammalian Hosts 2 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]