Avian hepatitis E virus in chickens, Taiwan, 2013

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Poultry Health

Background:

• Avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV) poses a significant threat to the poultry industry.
• Previous studies have documented aHEV in various avian species globally.
• The emergence of novel viral strains necessitates ongoing surveillance and characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize a previously unrecognized strain of avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV) in Taiwan.
• To assess the genetic relatedness of the identified aHEV strain to known aHEV sequences.
• To investigate potential transmission routes of aHEV in Taiwanese chicken populations.

Main Methods:

• Viral RNA extraction and sequencing.
• Phylogenetic analysis to determine genetic relationships.
• Epidemiological investigation of infected chicken flocks.

Main Results:

• A novel aHEV strain has been identified and is now endemic in chickens in Taiwan.
• The identified aHEV strain shares 81.5%-86.5% sequence identity with other known aHEV strains.
• aHEV infections were observed in chickens with no documented prior exposure, indicating potential transmission from asymptomatic carriers or common sources.

Conclusions:

• The endemic presence of this new aHEV strain in Taiwan represents a significant finding for poultry health.
• The genetic similarity suggests a common ancestry with other aHEV strains, but the novel strain may have unique characteristics.
• Understanding transmission dynamics, including asymptomatic spread, is crucial for controlling aHEV in Taiwanese poultry.