Sero-Detection of Avian Influenza A/H7 in Nigerian Live-Bird Markets in Plateau State

Avian influenza has been reported in domestic birds in Nigeria since 2006 and subtype H5 of the Gs/Gg lineage has continued to be detected up till date. It has been suggested that waterfowls and local birds sold in live-bird markets may be natural reservoir and source of reinfection of different subtype of avian influenza in poultry farms. This study aims at serodetection of avian influenza virus in waterfowls and local birds at live-bird markets in Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of three hundred and nine (309) blood samples were collected over a period of three months and two hundred and ninety-two (292) sera were analysed by c-ELISA for influenza A nucleoprotein using standard protocols. Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) specific for subtypes H5, H9, and H7 was also carried out using standard protocols on ELISA positive samples. The results showed seroprevalence of 5.14% (n=15) for influenza A. Serotype H7 was thereafter detected by HI in 5 of the 15 influenza A positive samples. The H7 positive sera also reacted with H7N3, H7N4, H7N1 and H7N7 virus strains with HI titre ranging between 1:32 to 1:512. This investigation for the first time showed serological evidence of influenza A subtype H7 in local birds and waterfowls sold at the live bird market in Nigeria. Further virological surveillance to isolate the virus is important in order to better understand influenza virus epidemiology in Nigeria and the potential risk that other subtypesof influenza poses to poultry production and public health. Keywords: Influenza A, subtype H7, serological detection, live bird market, Nigeria.

Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella spp. Isolated from Apparently Healthy Pigeons in a Live Bird Market in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella could pose a severe public health threat. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and some antibiotic-resistant genes in Salmonella spp. isolated from pigeons in a live bird market, Chattogram, Bangladesh. A total of 100 cloacal swab samples were collected aseptically from apparently healthy pigeons in the live bird market, namely Riazuddin Bazar in Chattogram city, Bangladesh. Different bacteriological and biochemical tests were used for the isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. The susceptibility test of Salmonella isolates to different antibiotics was performed by the disk diffusion method. PCR assay using specific primers was used for antibiotic resistance genes detection. The results indicated that the prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 29% in sampled birds. The highest antibiotic resistance rate was found to be ampicillin (93.1%), followed by both sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and tetracycline (86.2%). In contrast, 65.5% of isolates were found sensitive to ciprofloxacin, followed by colistin (62.1%), kanamycin (55.2%), and gentamicin (48.3%). 96.6% of Salmonella isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant and harbored blaTEM, tetA, sul1, and sul2 genes. In conclusion, pigeons as carriers of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella spp. may pose a health risk to other birds and humans.

Bioaerosol Sampling at a Live Animal Market in Kunshan, China: A Noninvasive Approach for Detecting Emergent Viruses

From October to December 2018, periodic bioaerosol sampling was conducted at a live bird market in Kunshan, China. Sixty-six (55%) of 120 samples had molecular evidence of avian influenza viruses. Four yielded live H9N2 virus after egg culture.

An assessment on potential risk pathways for the incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in backyard poultry farm in Bangladesh

Background and Aim: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a deadly virus of zoonotic potential. The study mainly aims to determine the risk pathways (RPs) for the probable incursion of HPAI virus (HPAIV) in backyard poultry in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: The study involves expert elicitation technique. The concept map determines the possible RPs. The map consists of 16 concepts, each with nodes from which probabilities of an event originates. These probabilities are described by qualitative descriptors ranging from negligible to high. Risk assessment has been performed using the subjective risk assessment tool. Results: The tool demonstrates positive correlation among groups of experts in the level of agreement by scoring RP; however, the level of agreement varies from 71% to 93% among group of experts. The median risk score of viral incursion through the "Exposure of backyard poultry with farm poultry in the trading market" was 11 and ranked as top, followed by "Contaminated live bird market environment" and "Sharing common scavenging space with migratory birds" (median risk score, 10.5; rank, 2), and "Scavenging of infected slaughtered poultry remnants by backyard poultry" (median risk score, 5.3; rank, 3) when no control options were applied along with the RPs. After applying or considering control option along with contaminated live bird market environment, the median risk score was reduced to 5.0. Applying a specific control option along with each RP reduced estimated median risk scores for HPAIV incursions. Conclusion: This study provides an insight into the incursion risks of HPAIV through various RPs in backyard poultry in Bangladesh.