Surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza in migratory shorebirds at the terminus of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway |
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| Authors: | IG Langstaff JS McKenzie WL Stanislawek CEM Reed R Poland SC Cork |
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| Affiliation: | 1. EpiCentre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;2. Animal Health Australia , Suite 15, 26-28 Napier Close, Deakin, ACT 2600, Australia E-mail: ilangstaff@animalhealthaustralia.com.au;3. EpiCentre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;4. Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, MAF Biosecurity , PO Box 40742, Upper Hutt, New Zealand;5. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Pre Clearance Directorate , PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand;6. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Post Clearance Directorate , PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | AIM: To determine if migratory birds arriving in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere spring of 2004 were infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) virus, H5N1. METHODS: Cloacal and faecal samples were collected from migratory red knots following their arrival in New Zealand in October 2004. Two species of resident sympatric birds, wrybill and mallard duck, were sampled prior to, and following, the arrival of migratory birds. RESULTS: No AI viruses were isolated from migratory or resident shorebirds. Non-pathogenic AI viruses were isolated from six resident mallard ducks, comprising the endemic subtypes H4 (n=2), H7 (non-pathogenic), H10, and H11 (n=2). CONCLUSIONS: Highly pathogenic AI H5N1 virus was not detected in migratory shorebirds or sympatric water birds in the Firth of Thames, New Zealand, in 2004-2005, despite the possible proximity of migratory birds to outbreaks of the disease in East Asia in 2004. |
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| Keywords: | Surveillance highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus low-pathogenic avian influenza migratory shorebirds East Asian-Australasian Flyway mallard ducks |
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