Tenacity of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses in different types of poultry litter

Abstract

To determine the risk of infection associated with exposure to low-pathogenic avian influenza (AI) virus-contaminated poultry litter, the tenacity of low pathogenic A/Ck/CA/431/00(H6N2), A/Mallard/MN/355779/00(H5N2), and A/turkey/Ohio/313053/04(H3N2) was evaluated. Viral stocks were incubated with poultry litter from commercial flocks at 25°C. Three types of poultry litter, wood shavings, shavings plus gypsum, and shavings plus peanut hulls, from commercial broiler flocks were used. The 3 low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses retained infectivity for one day in wood shavings and shavings plus peanut hulls litter types, whereas in wood shavings plus gypsum, litter viruses remained infective for up to 3 d. In contrast to the survivability in litter, all the viruses maintained infectivity in water for 4 d at titers of log(10)4.5. The infectivity of A/Ck/CA/431/00(H6N2) shed by experimentally infected layers, broilers, and turkeys was retained for one day, independently of the type of litter. In commercial production where a high density of birds are housed, the viral load shed by an infected flock will be significantly higher than the viral load shed 3 d postinfection obtained under the experimental conditions used in this study. Therefore proper management and disposal of poultry by products, such as windrow composting of litter and the composting of carcasses during an AI outbreak should be implemented.

Air pollution and their mitigation measures in Brazilian poultry production

“…The litter contains plant nutrients, such as N, P, K and trace elements, such as Cu, Zn and As, pesticide residues, pharmaceuticals such as coccidiostats, endocrine disruptors and microorganisms (Bolan et al, 2010). Moreover, it may also contain pathogenic viruses such as avian influenza (Reis et al, 2012). This material of heterogeneous composition possesses great pollution potential and produces large quantities of CH 4 and CO 2 during the decomposition process.…”

Wind-Mediated Spread of Low-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus into the Environment during Outbreaks at Commercial Poultry Farms

“…In domesticated birds, or poultry, HPAI viruses are typically found in both feces and respiratory secretions, while LPAI viruses are mainly shed through the enteric route [ 3 ]. Virus-contaminated droppings serve as source of infection for susceptible birds, and influenza viruses can remain infectious for many days in poultry litter [ 4 , 5 ]. Dispersal of infectious material into the environment may occur through ventilation of virus-contaminated dust.…”

The impact of viral tropism and housing conditions on the transmission of three H5/H7 low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in chickens

“…The survival of AIVs in water, poultry litter and on surfaces has been demonstrated, indicating that fomites may contribute in AIV transmission [14–16]. Moreover, poultry housing systems have been suggested to affect transmission of AIV in the initial stage of an outbreak [17] and Chen et al [18] have suggested the spread of an H5N1 HPAIV between ducks is compromised by housing the animals on a grid.…”