Gabriela J. Rzeszutek, etc.,al. [preprint]Zoonotic and Avian Pathogen Detections in Fecal and Sediment Samples - A Low-risk, High-throughput One Health Approach to Surveillance. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.19.694637
Many pathogens, both those with human spillover potential as well as avian-specific viruses, are maintained in wild bird populations. While much surveillance for influenza A viruses (IAVs) is performed annually, surveillance for other pathogens is limited. Sampling of wild birds is often time-consuming, labour-intensive, involves physically handling wild birds, often limited in sample size, and involves handling of potentially infected birds, posing an increased risk of direct exposure for personnel. Given this, additional methods for surveillance are needed. Longitudinal, bi-weekly fecal and sediment sampling was performed at various sites in southern Manitoba, Canada, particularly focused in Winnipeg from May - October 2025. Sites were chosen based on the suitability of the area for waterfowl habitat, the presence of waterfowl in the area, as well as sites in proximity to reported outbreaks of H5N1 influenza virus. Fecal and sediment samples were collected and screened for the presence of influenza A virus (IAV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian reovirus (ARV), and avian poxvirus (APXV). In total, 782 combined fecal and sediment samples were collected. Of the 714 fecal samples, 34 tested positive for IAV (4.8% prevalence). None of the IAV-positive fecal samples tested positive for H5 RNA. Of the 68 sediments tested, 15 tested positive for IAV (22.1% prevalence), four of which further tested positive for H5 RNA. NDV positivity was low, with only four positive fecal samples (0.56% prevalence) that were all collected on the same day. ARV positivity was also low, with five positive sediment samples (7.4% prevalence in sediment samples). Of the 782 total samples collected, of 559 samples that have been tested for APXV to date, all have tested negative. This work expands upon previous work showing the utility of environmental sampling for a variety of avian and zoonotic pathogens using a One Health approach that is both high-throughput and low-risk.
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