Insight into Alternative Approaches for Control of Avian Influenza in Poultry, with Emphasis on Highly Pathogenic H5N1

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of subtype H5N1 causes a devastating disease in poultry but when it accidentally infects humans it can cause death. Therefore, decrease the incidence of H5N1 in humans needs to focus on prevention and control of poultry infections. Conventional control strategies in poultry based on surveillance, stamping out, movement restriction and enforcement of biosecurity measures did not prevent the virus spreading, particularly in developing countries. Several challenges limit efficiency of the vaccines to prevent outbreaks of HPAIV H5N1 in endemic countries. Alternative and complementary approaches to reduce the current burden of H5N1 epidemics in poultry should be encouraged. The use of antiviral chemotherapy and natural compounds, avian-cytokines, RNA interference, genetic breeding and/or development of transgenic poultry warrant further evaluation as integrated intervention strategies for control of HPAIV H5N1 in poultry.

Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N8 viruses isolated from wild birds in Egypt

“…The number of recorded H5N1 outbreaks decreased as a result of administrating H5-inactivated vaccines [6,8]. However, the AI H5N1 virus continued to circulate, and the virus became endemic in 2008 leading to a drift of the surface immunogenic glycoproteins [9]. Two subclades of the H5N1 viruses, 2.2.1 and 2.2.1.1, co-circulated in poultry from late 2009 to 2011 [10].…”

“…HPAI H5N1 viruses spread during the last decade to Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa resulting in the culling and deaths of millions of birds as well as hundreds of human infection cases with a case fatality rate of more than 52 % [3][4][5]. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of subtype H5 underwent reassortment with different neuraminidase subtypes (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) to form AI H5NX viruses.…”

Kolaviron Improves Morbidity and Suppresses Mortality by Mitigating Oxido-Inflammation in BALB/c Mice Infected with Influenza Virus

“…Culminating lung failure in the host with virulent strain infection or severe clinical outcome has also been attributed to the downstream apoptotic effect of the sustained pro-inflammatory host response and exacerbated tissue remodeling induced fibrosis following influenza infection (13). Meanwhile, conventional therapeutic agents that target IAV's life cycle, including neuraminidase Departments of 1 Biochemistry and 2 Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.…”

Active surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Egyptian poultry, 2015

“…Within a few months of the first wave of H5N1 virus in 2006, the veterinary authorities in Egypt implemented a comprehensive response plan to control the spread of the virus in Egypt; this included increasing public awareness through the media, culling infected poultry, placing restrictions on the movement of live poultry, and applying biosecurity measures and emergency vaccination (2,3). However, the H5N1 virus continued to circulate and it became endemic in 2008, which led to genetic drift of the surface immunogenic glycoproteins (4,5 (6)(7)(8). The subclades of H5N1 viruses in Egypt are antigenically distinct and most vaccines used are no longer antigenically matched (2,9).…”