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08:46
Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field
Published on: August 2, 2011
Disease intelligence for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
J Domenech1, J Slingenbergh, V Martin
1Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. joseph.domenech@fao.org
Developments in Biologicals
|April 17, 2008
Summary
A comprehensive approach is vital for understanding and controlling highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Key factors include wild birds, live-bird markets, and the roles of smallholder farms in HPAI epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Disease Ecology
- Public Health
Background:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses significant threats requiring a multifaceted understanding of its emergence, spread, and persistence.
- Epidemiological insights are essential for predicting viral evolution and mitigating socioeconomic, environmental, institutional, and policy impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify all contributing factors to HPAI emergence, spread, and persistence.
- To inform strategies for HPAI prevention and control based on lessons learned and technical assistance programs.
- To clarify the distinct roles of smallholder versus commercial poultry farming systems in HPAI epidemiology.
Main Methods:
- Risk assessment and intelligence gathering by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- Analysis of lessons learned from assisting countries in strategy design and technical assistance programs.
- Evaluation of epidemiological contributions from various sources including wild birds, poultry farming systems, and market chains.
Main Results:
- Wild birds are identified as long-distance transporters of the H5N1 virus.
- The roles of ducks, live-bird markets, and trade are recognized as important elements in HPAI epidemiology.
- The specific contributions of smallholder systems versus commercial farms to HPAI epidemiology remain unclear but smallholders are considered significant.
Conclusions:
- Smallholder farming systems are crucial and must be integrated into HPAI control and prevention programs.
- Market-driven changes in poultry farming can negatively impact smallholders and biodiversity; biosecurity improvements at farms and markets are recommended.
- Strengthening animal health systems, risk analysis, and management are critical institutional factors for effective HPAI control.
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