scholarly journals Wild Bird Surveillance for Avian Paramyxoviruses in the Azov-Black Sea Region of Ukraine (2006 to 2011) Reveals Epidemiological Connections with Europe and Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (17) ◽  
pp. 5427-5438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Muzyka ◽  
Mary Pantin-Jackwood ◽  
Borys Stegniy ◽  
Oleksandr Rula ◽  
Vitaliy Bolotin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Bird ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTDespite the existence of 10 avian paramyxovirus (APMV) serotypes, very little is known about the distribution, host species, and ecological factors affecting virus transmission. To better understand the relationship among these factors, we conducted APMV wild bird surveillance in regions of Ukraine suspected of being intercontinental (north to south and east to west) flyways. Surveillance for APMV was conducted in 6,735 wild birds representing 86 species and 8 different orders during 2006 to 2011 through different seasons. Twenty viruses were isolated and subsequently identified as APMV-1 (n= 9), APMV-4 (n= 4), APMV-6 (n= 3), and APMV-7 (n= 4). The highest isolation rate occurred during the autumn migration (0.61%), with viruses isolated from mallards, teals, dunlins, and a wigeon. The rate of isolation was lower during winter (December to March) (0.32%), with viruses isolated from ruddy shelducks, mallards, white-fronted geese, and a starling. During spring migration, nesting, and postnesting (April to August) no APMV strains were isolated out of 1,984 samples tested. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of four APMV-1 and two APMV-4 viruses showed that one APMV-1 virus belonging to class 1 was epidemiologically linked to viruses from China, three class II APMV-1 viruses were epidemiologically connected with viruses from Nigeria and Luxembourg, and one APMV-4 virus was related to goose viruses from Egypt. In summary, we have identified the wild bird species most likely to be infected with APMV, and our data support possible intercontinental transmission of APMVs by wild birds.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in wild birds: phylogenetic analysis and potential factors affecting distribution

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sawicka-Durkalec ◽  
Olimpia Kursa ◽  
Łukasz Bednarz ◽  
Grzegorz Tomczyk
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Commercial Poultry ◽  
Potential Factors

AbstractDifferent Mycoplasma species have been reported in avian hosts. However, the majority of studies focus on one particular species of Mycoplasma or one host. In our research, we screened a total of 1141 wild birds representing 55 species, 26 families, and 15 orders for the presence of mycoplasmas by conventional PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Selected PCR products were sequenced to perform the phylogenetic analysis. All mycoplasma-positive samples were tested for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae, which are considered the major pathogens of commercial poultry. We also verified the influence of ecological characteristics of the tested bird species including feeding habits, habitat types, and movement patterns. The presence of Mycoplasma spp. was confirmed in 498 birds of 29 species, but none of the tested birds were positive for M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae. We found possible associations between the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and all investigated ecological factors. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high variability of Mycoplasma spp.; however, some clustering of sequences was observed regarding particular bird species. We found that wild migratory waterfowl, particularly the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) could be reservoirs and vectors of mycoplasmas pathogenic to commercial waterfowl.

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology and Characterization of Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Wild Bird Populations in Northern England

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 3007-3015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Hughes ◽  
Malcolm Bennett ◽  
Peter Coffey ◽  
John Elliott ◽  
Trevor R. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Campylobacter Coli ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bird Populations

ABSTRACT Campylobacter infections have been reported at prevalences ranging from 2 to 50% in a range of wild bird species, although there have been few studies that have investigated the molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. Consequently, whether wild birds are a source of infection in humans or domestic livestock or are mainly recipients of domestic animal strains and whether separate cycles of infection occur remain unknown. To address these questions, serial cross-sectional surveys of wild bird populations in northern England were carried out over a 2-year period. Fecal samples were collected from 2,084 wild bird individuals and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp. A total of 56 isolates were recovered from 29 birds sampled at 15 of 167 diverse locales. Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter lari, and Campylobacter coli were detected by PCR, and the prevalences of different Campylobacter spp. in different avian families ranged from 0% to 33%. Characterization of 36 C. jejuni isolates by multilocus sequence typing revealed that wild birds carry both livestock-associated and unique strains of C. jejuni. However, the apparent absence of unique wild bird strains of C. jejuni in livestock suggests that the direction of infection is predominantly from livestock to wild birds. C. lari was detected mainly in wild birds sampled in an estuarine or coastal habitat. Fifteen C. lari isolates were analyzed by macrorestriction pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, which revealed genetically diverse populations of C. lari in Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and clonal populations in magpies (Pica pica).

Some Ecological Factors Affecting the Grasshopper Populations of Western Canada

1964 ◽  
Vol 96 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 307-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy L. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Modern Agriculture ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Academic Problem ◽  
The University ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe underlying causes of grasshopper outbreaks in Western Canada are of interest both as an academic problem in insect population dynamics and as a practical problem in modern agriculture. Grasshopper populations reach their annual low point in early July when they are in the adult stage and increase sharply in the fall at the time of oviposition. Any factor that influences the grasshoppers during this period may have a marked effect on the outbreak of the following year. The relationship between grasshopper population numbers and proceeding fall temperatures may either control grasshopper populations directly by affecting their physiology or indirectly by affecting their parasites, predators, and diseases. Studies at the University of Saskatchewan aimed at solving this problem include investigation of the microclimate to which grasshoppers are subjected under field conditions, a survey of their feeding habits as shown by crop analyses, and a study of their oviposition behaviour. On the basis of available information an attempt is being made to predict future outbreaks at least 6 months in advance.

scholarly journals Environmental Factors Contribute to the Transmissibility of COVID-19: Evidence from an Improved SEIR Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Li ◽  
Kun Jia ◽  
Wenwu Zhao ◽  
Bo Yuan ◽  
Yanxu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Population Mobility ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Distributed Lag ◽  
The Impact

Abstract COVID-19 is ravaging Brazil, and its spread shows spatial heterogeneity. Changes in the environment have been implicated as potential factors involved in COVID-19 transmission. However, considerable research efforts have not elucidated the risk of environmental factors on COVID-19 transmission from the perspective of infectious disease dynamics. The aim of this study is to model the influence of the environment on COVID-19 transmission and to analyze how the socio-ecological factors affecting the probability of virus transmission in 10 states dramatically shifted during the early stages of the epidemic in Brazil. First, this study used a Pearson correlation to analyze the interconnection between COVID-19 morbidity and socio-ecological factors, and identified factors with significant correlations as the dominant factors affecting COVID-19 transmission. Then, the time-lag effect of dominant factors on the morbidity of COVID-19 was investigated by constructing a distributed lag nonlinear model, and the results were considered to be an improvement over the SEIR model. Lastly, a machine learning method was introduced to explore the nonlinear relationship between the environmental propagation probability and socio-ecological factors. By analyzing the impact of environmental factors on virus transmission, it can be found that population mobility directly caused by human activities had a greater impact on virus transmission than temperature and humidity. The heterogeneity of meteorological factors can be accounted for by the diverse climate patterns in Brazil. The improved SEIR model was adopted to explore the interconnection of COVID-19 transmission and the environment, which revealed a new strategy to probe the causal links between them.

scholarly journals Landscape and spatial patterns of avian influenza virus in Danish wild birds, 2006-2020

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lene Kjær ◽  
Charlotte Hjulsager ◽  
Lars Larsen ◽  
Anette Boklund ◽  
Tariq Halasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Game Bird ◽  
Migrating Birds

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease of birds with zoonotic potential. AI virus (AIV) can infect most bird species, but clinical signs and mortality vary. Assessing the distribution and factors affecting AI incidence can direct targeted surveillance to areas at risk of disease outbreaks, or help identify disease hotspots or areas with inadequate surveillance. Using virus surveillance data from passive and active AIV wild bird surveillance, 20062020, we investigated the association between a range of landscape factors and game bird release and the presence of AIV. Furthermore, we assessed potential bias in the passive AIV surveillance data submitted by the public, via factors related to public accessibility. Lastly, we tested the AIV data for possible hot and cold spots within Denmark. The passive surveillance data was biased regarding accessibility to areas (distance to roads, cities and coast) compared to random locations within Denmark. We found significant effects of variables related to coast, wetlands and cities for the passive and active AIV surveillance data (P< 0.01), but found no significant effect of game bird release. We used these variables to predict the risk of AIV presence throughout Denmark, and found high-risk areas concentrated along the coast and fjords. For both passive and active surveillance data, low-risk clusters were mainly seen in Jutland and northern Zealand, whereas high-risk clusters were found in Jutland, Zealand, Funen and the southern Isles such as Lolland and Falster. Our results suggest that landscape affects AIV presence, as coastal areas and wetlands attract waterfowl and migrating birds and therefore might increase the potential for AIV transmission. These findings have enabled us to create risk maps of AIV incidence in wild birds and pinpoint high-risk clusters within Denmark. This will aid targeted surveillance efforts within Denmark and potentially aid in planning the location of future poultry farms.

scholarly journals Live Wild Bird Trade and Sellers’ Biosecurity Risks in Kaduna State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-23
Author(s):  
Assam Assam ◽  
Helen Abah ◽  
Paul A. Abdu ◽  
Augustine Ezealor
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Biosecurity Practices

Aims: The first highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in Africa occurred in Kaduna State, Nigeria and despite possible introduction of H5N1 virus into Nigeria through wild birds; few studies have been undertaken on the risk of live wild bird trade and sellers” biosecurity practices on introduction, spread and maintenance of diseases in the country. This study assessed wild bird trade and sellers” biosecurity risk towards disease surveillance and control in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: Live wild bird markets in Kaduna State, Nigeria between March, and May 2012. Methodology: Live wildbird markets(LWBMs) biosecurity and sellers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on HPAI was assessed using biosecurity checklist and structured questionnaire, respectively. Wild bird trade was studied through a market survey in LWBMs. Results: All sellers were male and their main source of income was the wild bird trade. Some sellers (22.7%) would report sick birds only when attempted treatment fails. Sellers kept poultry at home (78.9%) with 100% allowing poultry–wild birds contact. Over 31.6% sellers do not wash hands with soap after handling birds. About 86.4% sellers heard of AI with 84.2% hearing from radio. No sellers knew any HPAI clinical sign though 21.1% knew HPAI affects human beings and none believes HPAI affects human beings. Sellers would report HPAI outbreak to reduce losses (38.9%). None of the LWBMs was fenced with birds tied and allowed to move in 25% of LWBMs. Cages were wood/metal while fenced pens constructed from wood/wire mesh with un-cemented floor. No LWBM sourced birds from one reliable source neither were birds separated by species. In 50% of LWBMs, cages were stacked without paper or other materials lined within cages. No LWBM either stored feed in rodent proof containers or had a rodent control program. Other livestock were sold in 75% of LWBMs. Free flying birds interact with wild birds in 75% of LWBMs while free range poultry – wild bird interaction occurred in 25% of LWBMs. No seller wore protective clothing in any LWBM. All markets practice regular cleaning of cages and pens though none disinfects cages regularly. All LWBMs dispose dead birds properly by burning or burying though 25% dispose wild bird manure improperly. Over 75.9% of biosecurity features in LWBMs were risky with 76.2% being risky biosecurity practices and 80% (17/21) due to poor LWBM infrastructures. Food (31.8%), traditional medicine (45.5%) and pets (77.3%) were reported wild birds uses. There was high demand for birds of prey during election years. White stork (11.42%) and geese (9.94%) were the main birds on sale. Threatened and rear wild bird species were being traded in the LWBMs. Over 45% of birds were sourced from 9 foreign countries with majority coming from Chad. Bird prices range was ₦300 ($1.9) to ₦125,000 ($781). Mammals and reptiles were also sold in LWBMs with prices from ₦500 ($3.1) to ₦ 1.2million ($7500). Wild birds on sale in the four LWBMs were valued at ₦6,575,300 ($41,100) comprising of 71.4% of total value of animals (₦9,207,300) on sale. Conclusion: Sellers’ biosecurity practices was poor with high biosecurity risk due to low-risk perception. Biosecurity in LWBMs in Kaduna State was poor with high risk to introduction, spread and maintenance of HPAI. Wild bird trade in Kaduna State is linked to the global trade and could be a source for disease introduction into Nigeria. There is need for sellers to be trained on HPAI and other emerging infectious diseases and routine surveillance of EIDs in LWBMs. The wild bird trade should be legalized and regulated.

Generalizability and comparability of prevalence estimates in the wild bird literature: methodological and epidemiological considerations

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine A. Vogt ◽  
Christian P.G. Stevens ◽  
David L. Pearl ◽  
Eduardo N. Taboada ◽  
Claire M. Jardine
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Microbiological Methods ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
In The Wild

AbstractWild birds have been the focus of a great deal of research investigating the epidemiology of zoonotic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in the environment. While enteric pathogens (e.g. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7) and antimicrobial resistant bacteria of public health importance have been isolated from a wide variety of wild bird species, there is a considerable variation in the measured prevalence of a given microorganism from different studies. This variation may often reflect differences in certain ecological and biological factors such as feeding habits and immune status. Variation in prevalence estimates may also reflect differences in sample collection and processing methods, along with a host of epidemiological inputs related to overall study design. Because the generalizability and comparability of prevalence estimates in the wild bird literature are constrained by their methodological and epidemiological underpinnings, understanding them is crucial to the accurate interpretation of prevalence estimates. The main purpose of this review is to examine methodological and epidemiological inputs to prevalence estimates in the wild bird literature that have a major bearing on their generalizability and comparability. The inputs examined here include sample type, microbiological methods, study design, bias, sample size, definitions of prevalence outcomes and parameters, and control of clustering. The issues raised in this review suggest, among other things, that future prevalence studies of wild birds should avoid opportunistic sampling when possible, as this places significant limitations on the generalizability of prevalence data.

When and how do predator starting distances affect flight initiation distances?

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 1045-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
W E Cooper, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Flight Initiation Distance ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Urosaurus Ornatus ◽  
Approach Speed ◽  
Monitoring Costs ◽  
Sceloporus Virgatus ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Flight Initiation

The distance separating predator and prey when the predator begins to approach, starting distance, was recently shown to affect flight initiation distance in many bird species, raising questions about the effect's generality, variation with ecological factors, and economic basis. I studied the effect in two lizard species that forage by ambush and escape into nearby refuges. Monitoring costs during approach are absent because ambushers remain immobile while scanning for prey and predators. Risks are minimized because of the proximity to refuge. Flight initiation distance increased weakly with starting distance in Sceloporus virgatus Smith, 1938 significantly only at rapid approach speed. It was not significant in Urosaurus ornatus (Baird and Girard, 1852) at slow approach speed. Flight initiation distance is predicted to increase with starting distance, owing to monitoring costs and assessment by prey of greater risk during prolonged approaches. The significant effect in S. virgatus, which lacks monitoring costs, is the first indication that risk affects the relationship between starting distance and flight initiation distance. Conditions in which starting distance is important and its possible effects in earlier studies are discussed, as well as standardizing approaches and possible artifactual effects of starting distance.

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