Isolation of avian influenza virus (AIV) has been reported from 12 orders and 88 species of free-living birds. Most isolations are reported from species in the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes and it is recognized that species in Anseriformes represent important reservoirs of AIV. Morbidity and mortality among free-living birds attributable to AIV infection are rare, but differences in prevalence of AIV occur within and between avian species. Seasonal variation has been reported from free-living and sentinel ducks with peak AIV infection occurring in late summer and early fall. Prevalence of AIV is age-related, with highest isolation rates reported from juvenile birds. Differences in susceptibility to AIV infection among species have been demonstrated under experimental conditions. The dynamics and epidemiology of species-related variation in populations of free-living birds require further study.
The combined effects of water temperature, salinity, and pH on persistence of avian influenza virus (AIV) were evaluated in a model distilled-water system using three isolates from ducks sampled in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Variables were tested within the ranges normally associated with surface water. Differences were detected between temperature (17 C and 28 C), pH (6.2, 7.2, 8.2), and salinity (0 ppt and 20 ppt), with a strong interactive effect observed between pH and salinity. Estimated persistence of infectivity for 1 x 10(6) mean tissue-culture infective dose of A/mottled duck/LA/38M/87 (H6N2) was longest at 17 C/0 ppt/pH 8.2 (100 days) and shortest at 28 C/20 ppt/pH 8.2 (9 days). Differences in the response to these variables were apparent between viruses. The ability of AIV to persist in surface water was also evaluated using samples collected from varied waterfowl habitats in coastal Louisiana. Observations were consistent with the model system, with duration of infectivity decreasing with increased salinity and pH. This suggests that experimental results may have application to field conditions.
Persistence of five avian influenza viruses (AIVs) derived from four waterfowl species in Louisiana and representing five hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes was determined in distilled water at 17 C and 28 C. Infectivity was determined over 60 days by microtiter endpoint titration. One AIV was tested over 91 days at 4 C. Linear regression models for these viruses predicted that an initial concentration of 1 x 10(6) TCID50/ml water could remain infective for up to 207 days at 17 C and up to 102 days at 28 C. Significant differences in slopes for AIV persistence models were detected between treatment temperatures and among viruses. Results suggest that these viruses are adapted to transmission on waterfowl wintering habitats. Results also suggest a potential risk associated with waterfowl and domestic poultry sharing a common water source.
Cloacal and tracheal swabs were collected from 1389 hunter-killed ducks in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, during the 1986 and 1987 waterfowl seasons. Twenty-eight avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were isolated from 605 blue-winged teal (Anas discors), 75 mottled ducks (A. fulvigula), 375 gadwalls (A. stepera) and 334 green-winged teal (A. crecca). Prevalence estimates of AIV in ducks sampled during September, November, and December through January were 3.1%, 2.0%, and 0.4%, respectively. Differences in prevalence were detected by season (P = 0.044) and age class (P = 0.036). Two isolations from resident mottled ducks document transmission of AIV on these wintering areas. Much subtype diversity was present, with nine of 13 hemagglutinin (HA) and nine of nine neuraminidase (NA) subtypes recovered. Predominant HA and NA subtypes were typical of AIVs commonly associated with waterfowl. Results indicate that AIVs are transmitted in the wintering areas, and, although prevalence is low, these viruses continue to circulate within these duck populations during winter.
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