Detection of Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Waterbirds in the Rift Valley of Kenya Using Fecal Sampling

[tetano]

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2013 Apr 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Detection of Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Waterbirds in the Rift Valley of Kenya Using Fecal Sampling.
Ofula VO, Franklin AB, Root JJ, Sullivan HJ, Gichuki P, Makio A, Bulimo W, Abong'o BO, Muchai M, Schnabel D.
Source

1 U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Kenya , Nairobi, Kenya .
Abstract

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/H5N1 has been reported in 11 African countries. Migratory waterbirds have the potential of introducing A/H5N1 into east Africa through the Rift Valley of Kenya. We present the results of a wild bird surveillance system for A/H5N1 and other avian influenza viruses based on avian fecal sampling in Kenya. We collected 2630 fecal samples in 2008. Viral RNA was extracted from pools of 3-5 fecal samples and analyzed for presence of avian influenza virus RNA by real-time RT-PCR. Twelve (2.3%) of the 516 sample pools were positive for avian influenza virus RNA, 2 of which were subtyped as H4N6 viruses. This is the first report of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Kenya. This study demonstrates the success of this approach in detecting avian influenza virus in wild birds and represents an efficient surveillance system for avian influenza virus in regions with limited resources.

PMID:
23621372
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23621372

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Detection of Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Waterbirds in the Rift Valley of Kenya Using Fecal Sampling

The previous mentioned report said:

This is the first report of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Kenya.

Here is a report from 2011:

June 17, 2011

Detection of Avian Influenza Among Wild Birds in Kenya, 2006 -2009.

Background: Migratory Birds play an important role in the movement of avian influenza (AI) throughout the world. Kenya, which to date has not reported a case of AI in humans or animals, is part of the bird migratory flyway from Europe and Western Asia.

Objective: To determine what subtypes of avian influenza viruses are harbored by wild birds in Kenya.

Methodology: At 13 flyway sites, birds were captured by ornithologists. Biometric parameters were recorded and each bird banded. Duplicate cloacal swabs were collected, placed in cryovials containing viral transport medium, and screened for influenza A by real-time RT-PCR. All positive Influenza A specimens were further screened for the H5 subtype. Sequencing was done to determine if the strain is highly pathogenic.

Results: Specimens were collected from 3,618 birds representing 150 species. Influenza A virus was detected in 1.7% (61/3618) of the all birds representing 23 different species. Of the 61 Influenza A virus positives 34% were from resident birds, 34% from paleartic migrants and 32% from intra African migrants. No highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses were detected during the study period. However, 1 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAI) H12N2, 1 LPAI H5N8, 2 LPAI H5N2 and 1 H5 subtype whose neuraminidase subtype was not established were detected in 4 bird species.

Conclusions/Recommendations: The implementation of active surveillance has identified influenza A subtypes among wild birds in Kenya. The discovery of influenza virus in both migratory and resident birds reinforces the probability of the potential transmission between migratory and resident birds. This effort has built local capacity for the expert collection and analysis of bird samples for influenza and has given animal and public health experts a baseline of influenza virus activity in birds. This surveillance has the potential to function as an early warning system for HPAI.

http://www.ajhsjournal.or.ke/?p=1223