Diagnosis and Control of a LPAI H5N8 Outbreak in a Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Commercial Flock in the Central Valley of California

Abstract

In April 2014 an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 North American genetic lineage was diagnosed in a commercial quail operation in Stanislaus County, California. Sudden increase in mortality prompted the submission of 20 Japanese quail hens (Coturnix c. japonica) to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Turlock Branch. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs tested positive for influenza A virus H5N8 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The virus was subsequently isolated. In vivo assay and sequencing of the hemagglutinin protein cleavage site classified the virus as a North American genetic lineage of low pathogenicity for chickens. Following the diagnosis, a rapid and coordinated response took place to contain the outbreak. The affected premise was depopulated, cleaned, and disinfected. Three areas from the affected premises-a 3 kilometer (km) radius (High Risk Zone), a 3-10 km area (Buffer Zone), and a 10-20 km (Surveillance Zone)-were established for avian influenza testing of commercial and noncommercial poultry operations. Surveillance testing and rapid control measures were successful in the control and eradication of the outbreak and revealed no area of spread of the virus from the index flock. This report describes the history, diagnosis, surveillance, and control measures applied to manage this outbreak.

Pathobiology of Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Minor Gallinaceous Poultry Supports Early Backyard Flock Introductions in the Western United States in 2014-2015

“…Numerous outbreaks of both LPAI and HPAI viruses have been reported for poultry species such as Japanese quail, pearl guinea fowl, and ring-necked pheasants (22,27). Some studies suggest that certain gallinaceous species, such as ring-necked pheasants and Japanese quail, are more susceptible than chickens and turkeys to LPAI viruses from free-living aquatic birds (22,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34).…”

“…Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that, among the gallinaceous poultry, Japanese quail play a crucial role in the genesis of AI viruses because (i) AI viruses have been isolated from Japanese quail in commercial flocks and LPMs in North America, Europe, and Asia (27,(53)(54)(55)(56)(57); (ii) Japanese quail are experimentally susceptible to and support replication of HPAI viruses (22); (iii) most AI subtypes are able to replicate in Japanese quail, primarily in the respiratory tract (22); (iv) Japanese quail facilitate the adaptation of AI viruses of wild origin to major poultry species and mammals (28,40,41,(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62); (v) Japanese quail carry sialic acid receptors functional for binding of both avian (␣-2,3) and human (␣-2,6) influenza viruses (63); and (vi) Japanese quail are able to support efficient replication and transmission of reassortant viruses (34,37,38,64,65). Collectively, these findings support the tenet that Japanese quail are optimal hosts for the adaptation of wild bird AI viruses.…”

Assessment of low pathogenic avian influenza virus transmission via raw poultry meat and raw table eggs

“…H5N1 and H7N3 LPAIV isolates of wild bird origin were not pathogenic in turkeys and chickens . In April 2014, an outbreak of H5N8 LPAI was detected in a commercial flock of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) following a sudden increase in mortality (Carnaccini et al, 2015). On the other hand, there have been LPAI outbreaks where clinical signs and even increased mortality were reported.…”

“…Similarly, the first signs in a Canadian outbreak of H7N3 LPAI were a sudden drop in feed consumption and a slight increase in mortality (Bowes et al., ). In April 2014, an outbreak of H5N8 LPAI was detected in a commercial flock of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) following a sudden increase in mortality (Carnaccini et al., ). In layer flocks infected with H7N2 LPAIV (Pennsylvania, 1997–1998), the mortality rate rose to even 10 times the baseline with a cumulative mortality of 4% (Ziegler et al., ; Lu et al., ).…”

Pathobiology and innate immune responses of gallinaceous poultry to clade 2.3.4.4A H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection

“…Lee et al examined the pathogenicity of clade 2.3.4.4 viruses in Japanese quail and showed severe clinical disease, virus shedding, and contact transmission following challenge with 6 log 10 EID 50 of Korean Group A H5N8 virus [21]. Prior to the emergence of clade 2.3.4.4 viruses, numerous outbreaks of both LPAI and HPAI viruses had been reported in species such as Japanese quail, Pearl guinea fowl, and Ring-necked pheasants [19, 22]. Some studies suggest that certain gallinaceous species like Ring-necked pheasants and Japanese quail are more susceptible to LPAI viruses from free-living aquatic birds than chickens and turkeys [19, 23–28].…”