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Surveillance and analysis of avian influenza viruses, Australia

Philip M Hansbro1, Simone Warner, John P Tracey

  • 1The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. philip.hansbro@newcastle.edu.au

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Wild birds in Australia carry avian influenza viruses, with detection rates varying by season and bird type. Ongoing surveillance is crucial for preventing outbreaks in poultry and protecting human health.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Wildlife Epidemiology
  • Public Health Microbiology

Background:

  • Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose significant risks to poultry industries and human health.
  • Understanding AIVs carriage in wild bird populations is essential for risk assessment and disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of avian influenza viruses in wild birds in Australia from 2005 to 2008.
  • To assess the potential risks posed by these viruses to poultry industries and human health.
  • To identify patterns in virus detection and inform surveillance strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and analysis of 21,858 cloacal and fecal samples from wild birds.
  • Detection and typing of avian influenza viruses, including subtypes H5, H7, and H9.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine the origin and relationships of detected viral lineages.
  • Assessment of virus pathogenicity and comparison with known pathogenic strains.

Main Results:

  • A total of 300 avian influenza viruses were detected, with an overall detection rate of approximately 1.4%.
  • Virus detection rates peaked in autumn (March-May) and varied significantly across bird types, geographic areas, and years.
  • Of the 107 typed viruses, 19 were H5, 8 were H7, and 16 were H9 subtypes; all were of low pathogenicity.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated distinct Australian lineages, separate from Eurasian and North American strains.
  • H7 viruses showed similarities to highly pathogenic strains responsible for poultry outbreaks in Australia.
  • Periods of increased virus detection rates (in terms of number or subtypes) were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Wild birds in Australia serve as reservoirs for diverse avian influenza viruses, including potentially concerning H7 subtypes.
  • The presence of distinct Australian lineages highlights the need for region-specific surveillance.
  • Findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring for emerging pathogenic strains to prevent widespread outbreaks in poultry and protect public health.

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