Duck production systems and highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in France, 2016–2017

Abstract

In winter 2016–2017, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus spread across Europe, causing unprecedented epizootics. France was massively affected, resulting in the culling of over 6 million poultry. Boosted regression tree (BRT) models were used to quantify the association between spatial risk factors and HPAI H5N8 infection in poultry holdings and to generate predictive maps for HPAI infection. Three datasets were combined to build the model: a dataset of the reported outbreaks in poultry, a dataset of the poultry holdings where the virus has not been reported and a set of relevant spatial risk factors, including poultry production and trade, and water bird habitat. Results identified key associations between the ‘ foie gras’ production systems and HPAI H5N8 risk of occurrence and indicate that strengthening surveillance of fattening duck production systems and making the transportation of fattening ducks more secure would be key priority options for HPAI prevention and control.

Regional Transmission and Reassortment of 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Viruses in Bulgarian Poultry 2017/18

“…We note the risk of the domestic duck sector as a source of cryptic spread and maintenance after introduction. Our results are consistent with detailed spatial modelling during the 2016–17 HPAI 2.3.4.4b outbreaks in France [ 44 , 47 ], and previous surveillance in Bulgaria during 2008–12 [ 43 ]. Both studies found a major role for duck production systems, particularly foie gras, in the spread of avian influenza in the poultry sector.…”

“…Ducks often do not show clinical signs of disease, which makes identification of infection challenging. In addition, short production cycles, high movement of personnel and ducks between farms and challenges in cleaning and disinfection of transport vehicles also contribute to the potential maintenance of influenza A viruses without detection [ 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Serological and swab testing of ducks as sentinel species might be useful in predicting future outbreaks in poultry.…”

Domestic ducks play a major role in the maintenance and spread of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in South Korea

“…The increase in number of sequences will be helpful to increase the accuracy and credibility of this model. Many previous studies also have indicated domestic duck as a major source of HPAIV based on phylogenetic and epidemiological analysis (Barman et al, ; Gilbert et al, , ; Guinat et al, ; Hill et al, ; Pfeiffer, Minh, Martin, Epprecht, & Otte, ). Consistent with our data, domestic waterfowl seemed to play a major role in recent huge outbreaks of H5 HPAIVs, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5NX HPAIVs.…”

“…The increase in number of sequences will be helpful to increase the accuracy and credibility of this model. Many previous studies also have indicated domestic duck as a major source of HPAIV based on phylogenetic and epidemiological analysis (Barman et al, 2017;Gilbert et al, 2006Gilbert et al, , 2010Guinat et al, 2019;Hill et al, 2015;Pfeiffer, Minh, Martin, Epprecht, & Otte, 2007 HPAIV had been dominant strains from 2014 and domestic ducks and geese suspected as a major source of H5N6 viruses (Bi et al, 2016). Many previous in vivo infection studies in birds showed that clade 2.3.4.4 H5NX HPAI viruses more efficiently replicated in domestic and wild waterfowl than chickens but did not induce high mortality in waterfowl Kwon et al, 2018;Pantin-Jackwood et al, 2017;Pantin-Jackwood et al, 2016;Sun et al, 2016;van den Brand et al, 2018).…”

Development of ssDNA Aptamers for Diagnosis and Inhibition of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H5N1

“…Avian influenza is caused by the avian influenza A virus, which occurs naturally in wild aquatic birds. Infection in poultry can cause serious damage to the global poultry market because the virus is highly contagious and has high mortality rates [1,2]. Human infections with avian influenza viruses, though rare, have been reported sporadically.…”