A small-scale study on airborne transmission of H9N2 avian influenza virus under field conditions
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Song Li1, Yufa Zhou2, Shujuan Gao3
1Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, China. tasongli@126.com.
Introduction:
H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV) can transmit in chicken flocks through direct contact and aerosols. Nevertheless, data on airborne transmission of AIV is very limited, especially under field conditions. To fill this literature gap, this study was designed to investigate airborne transmission of H9N2 AIV originating from infected chicken flocks under field conditions, with the aim to further characterize the airborne transmission of H9N2 AIV.
Methodology:
Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from different diseased chickens to confirm H9N2 AIV infection. All glass impingers 30 (AGI-30) were used to collect indoor, upwind and downwind air samples for three chicken houses with H9N2 AIV infected chickens. Swabs and air samples were tested for H9N2 AIV using a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR). H9N2 AIV was isolated in embryonated chicken eggs and hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequence similarity of the isolated AIV was compared.
Results:
The results showed that indoor air samples were all RRT-PCR positive for H9N2 AIV. Downwind air samples collected between 10 m and 1.5 km away from the chicken houses were also found positive with an average load 2.62-5.21×103 RNA copies/m3. However, upwind air samples were all negative for H9N2 AIV. In addition, H9N2 AIV was isolated from swabs and indoor air samples.
Conclusion:
In summary, this study provides insights into the airborne transmission of H9N2 AIV under field conditions.
Insights
H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) can spread through the air from infected chicken flocks. This study confirms airborne transmission of H9N2 AIV over distances up to 1.5 km under field conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Avian Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV) spread within chicken flocks via direct contact and aerosols.
- Limited data exists on airborne transmission of AIV, particularly under field conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the airborne transmission of H9N2 AIV from infected chicken flocks in a real-world setting.
- To characterize the airborne spread of H9N2 AIV under field conditions.
Main Methods:
- Collected oropharyngeal swabs from diseased chickens to confirm H9N2 AIV infection.
- Utilized All Glass Impingers (AGI-30) for indoor, upwind, and downwind air sampling.
- Employed real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) for H9N2 AIV detection in swabs and air samples.
- Isolated H9N2 AIV in embryonated chicken eggs for further analysis.
Main Results:
- All indoor air samples tested positive for H9N2 AIV.
- Downwind air samples collected up to 1.5 km away were positive, indicating airborne spread.
- Upwind air samples were consistently negative for H9N2 AIV.
- H9N2 AIV was successfully isolated from both swabs and indoor air samples.
Conclusions:
- This study provides critical insights into the airborne transmission dynamics of H9N2 AIV in field settings.
- Findings highlight the potential for significant airborne spread of H9N2 AIV from infected poultry flocks.
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