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

Abstract

Avian influenza virus-infected poultry can release a large amount of virus-contaminated droppings that serve as sources of infection for susceptible birds. Much research so far has focused on virus spread within flocks. However, as fecal material or manure is a major constituent of airborne poultry dust, virus-contaminated particulate matter from infected flocks may be dispersed into the environment. We collected samples of suspended particulate matter, or the inhalable dust fraction, inside, upwind and downwind of buildings holding poultry infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, and tested them for the presence of endotoxins and influenza virus to characterize the potential impact of airborne influenza virus transmission during outbreaks at commercial poultry farms. Influenza viruses were detected by RT-PCR in filter-rinse fluids collected up to 60 meters downwind from the barns, but virus isolation did not yield any isolates. Viral loads in the air samples were low and beyond the limit of RT-PCR quantification except for one in-barn measurement showing a virus concentration of 8.48x104 genome copies/m3. Air samples taken outside poultry barns had endotoxin concentrations of ~50 EU/m3 that declined with increasing distance from the barn. Atmospheric dispersion modeling of particulate matter, using location-specific meteorological data for the sampling days, demonstrated a positive correlation between endotoxin measurements and modeled particulate matter concentrations, with an R2 varying from 0.59 to 0.88. Our data suggest that areas at high risk for human or animal exposure to airborne influenza viruses can be modeled during an outbreak to allow directed interventions following targeted surveillance.

Collection, particle sizing and detection of airborne viruses

“…2) (Hinds 1998). PTFE (Myatt et al 2004;Jonges et al 2015) and cellulose filters (Sawyer et al 1994) have been used for sampling virus-containing aerosol. Airborne rhinovirus RNA, low pathogenicity avian influenza virus RNA and VZV DNA were detected in these studies.…”

A systematic knowledge synthesis on the spatial dimensions of Q fever epidemics

“…To this end, air samples should be taken at farms both indoor and outdoor at close distances. A similar strategy is described by Jonges et al () in their attempts for assessment of an avian influenza outbreak. Measurements should start shortly after a source is identified and, preferably, performed repeatedly over longer periods in order to obtain insight in variation over time.…”

“…To this end, air samples should be taken at farms both indoor and outdoor at close distances. A similar strategy is described by Jonges et al (2015) in their attempts for assessment of an avian influenza outbreak.…”

Recombinant Lactococcus Lactis Expressing M1-HA2 Fusion Protein Provides Protective Mucosal Immunity Against H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Chickens

“…The H9N2 subtype is still the most important AIV. Infection with this subtype of AIV can result in symptoms like respiratory diseases and decreased egg production in poultry, and may promote a few bacterial infections, leading to high mortality (5). Moreover, H9N2 AIV can directly infect humans and other mammal (6,7).…”