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Reid SM, Byrne AMP, Lean FZX, Ross CS, Pascu A, Hepple R, Dominguez M, Frost S, Coward VJ, Núñez A, James J, Stephan L, Aegerter JN, Brown IH, Banyard AC. A multi-species, multi-pathogen avian viral disease outbreak event: Investigating potential for virus transmission at the wild bird - poultry interface. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2348521. [PMID: 38686548 PMCID: PMC11168234 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2348521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
A free-range organic broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) premises in Staffordshire was infected by high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N8 during the 2020-2021 epizootic in the United Kingdom (UK). Following initial confirmation of the infection in poultry, multiple wild bird species were seen scavenging on chicken carcasses. Detected dead wild birds were subsequently demonstrated to have been infected and succumbed to HPAIV H5N8. Initially, scavenging species, magpie (Pica pica) and raven (Corvus corax) were found dead on the premises but over the following days, buzzards (Buteo buteo) were also found dead within the local area with positive detection of HPAIV in submitted carcasses. The subacute nature of microscopic lesions within a buzzard was consistent with the timeframe of infection. Finally, a considerable number of free-living pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were also found dead in the surrounding area, with carcasses having higher viral antigen loads compared to infected chickens. Limited virus dissemination was observed in the carcasses of the magpie, raven, and buzzard. Further, an avirulent avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) was detected within poultry samples as well as in the viscera of a magpie infected with HPAIV. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal colocalization of avian paramyxovirus antigens with lesions, supporting an avirulent APMV-1 infection. Overall, this case highlights scenarios in which bi-directional transmission of avian viral diseases between commercial and wild bird species may occur. It also underlines the importance of bio separation and reduced access when infection pressure from HPAIV is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M. Reid
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Fabian Z. X. Lean
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Craig S. Ross
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Andrei Pascu
- APHA England Field Delivery, APHA Stafford, Stafford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Vivien J. Coward
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Joe James
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Levon Stephan
- Veterinary Exotic Notifiable Disease Unit (VENDU), London, UK
| | | | - Ian H. Brown
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
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Vickers SH, Raghwani J, Banyard AC, Brown IH, Fournie G, Hill SC. Utilizing citizen science data to rapidly assess changing associations between wild birds and avian influenza outbreaks in poultry. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20241713. [PMID: 39317317 PMCID: PMC11421901 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
High pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a rapidly evolving virus causing significant economic and environmental harm. Wild birds are a key viral reservoir and an important source of viral incursions into animal populations, including poultry. However, we lack a thorough understanding of which species drive incursions and whether this changes over time. We explored associations between the abundances of 152 avian species and outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry premises across Great Britain between October 2021 and January 2023. Spatial generalized additive models were used, with species abundance distributions sourced from eBird. Associations were investigated at the species-specific level and across species aggregations. During autumn/winter, associations were generally strongest with waterbirds such as ducks and geese; however, we also found significant associations in groups such as non-native gamebirds and rapid change in species-specific associations over time. Our results demonstrate the value of citizen science to rapidly explore wild species as potential facilitators of disease incursions into well-monitored populations, especially in regions where viral surveillance in wild species is limited. This can be a critical step towards prioritizing targeted surveillance that could inform species-specific biosecurity measures; particularly for HPAIV, which has undergone sudden shifts in host range and continues to rapidly evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H. Vickers
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, HatfieldAL9 7TA, UK
| | - Jayna Raghwani
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, HatfieldAL9 7TA, UK
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, SurreyKT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Animal and Plant Health Agency, SurreyKT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, SurreyKT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Animal and Plant Health Agency, SurreyKT15 3NB, UK
| | - Guillaume Fournie
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, HatfieldAL9 7TA, UK
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WT, UK
- Université de Lyon, INRAE,VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Marcy l’Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Saint-Gènes-Champanelle, France
| | - Sarah C. Hill
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, HatfieldAL9 7TA, UK
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Abolnik C, Roberts LC, Strydom C, Snyman A, Roberts DG. Outbreaks of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in South Africa in 2023 Were Caused by Two Distinct Sub-Genotypes of Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses. Viruses 2024; 16:896. [PMID: 38932187 PMCID: PMC11209199 DOI: 10.3390/v16060896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2023, South Africa continued to experience sporadic cases of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in coastal seabirds and poultry. Active environmental surveillance determined that H5Nx, H7Nx, H9Nx, H11Nx, H6N2, and H12N2, amongst other unidentified subtypes, circulated in wild birds and ostriches in 2023, but that H5Nx was predominant. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of confirmed H5N1 HPAI cases determined that only two of the fifteen sub-genotypes that circulated in South Africa in 2021-2022 still persisted in 2023. Sub-genotype SA13 remained restricted to coastal seabirds, with accelerated mutations observed in the neuraminidase protein. SA15 caused the chicken outbreaks, but outbreaks in the Paardeberg and George areas, in the Western Cape province, and the Camperdown region of the KwaZulu-Natal province were unrelated to each other, implicating wild birds as the source. All SA15 viruses contained a truncation in the PB1-F2 gene, but in the Western Cape SA15 chicken viruses, PA-X was putatively expressed as a novel isoform with eight additional amino acids. South African clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses had comparatively fewer markers of virulence and pathogenicity compared to European strains, a possible reason why no spillover to mammals has occurred here yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa;
| | - Laura Christl Roberts
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa;
- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Christine Strydom
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory (Pty) Ltd., Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa;
| | - Albert Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa; (A.S.); (D.G.R.)
| | - David Gordon Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa; (A.S.); (D.G.R.)
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Warren CJ, Brookes SM, Arnold ME, Irvine RM, Hansen RDE, Brown IH, Banyard AC, Slomka MJ. Assessment of Survival Kinetics for Emergent Highly Pathogenic Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx Avian Influenza Viruses. Viruses 2024; 16:889. [PMID: 38932181 PMCID: PMC11209063 DOI: 10.3390/v16060889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) cause high morbidity and mortality in poultry species. HPAIV prevalence means high numbers of infected wild birds could lead to spill over events for farmed poultry. How these pathogens survive in the environment is important for disease maintenance and potential dissemination. We evaluated the temperature-associated survival kinetics for five clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx HPAIVs (UK field strains between 2014 and 2021) incubated at up to three temperatures for up to ten weeks. The selected temperatures represented northern European winter (4 °C) and summer (20 °C); and a southern European summer temperature (30 °C). For each clade 2.3.4.4 HPAIV, the time in days to reduce the viral infectivity by 90% at temperature T was established (DT), showing that a lower incubation temperature prolonged virus survival (stability), where DT ranged from days to weeks. The fastest loss of viral infectivity was observed at 30 °C. Extrapolation of the graphical DT plots to the x-axis intercept provided the corresponding time to extinction for viral decay. Statistical tests of the difference between the DT values and extinction times of each clade 2.3.4.4 strain at each temperature indicated that the majority displayed different survival kinetics from the other strains at 4 °C and 20 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J. Warren
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Sharon M. Brookes
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Mark E. Arnold
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RB, UK;
| | - Richard M. Irvine
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
- Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO), Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ, UK
| | - Rowena D. E. Hansen
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
- Veterinary Advice Services, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health Agency, (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health Agency, (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Marek J. Slomka
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (S.M.B.); (R.M.I.); (R.D.E.H.); (I.H.B.); (A.C.B.)
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Seekings AH, Liang Y, Warren CJ, Hjulsager CK, Thomas SS, Lean FZX, Nunez A, Skinner P, Selden D, Falchieri M, Simmons H, Brown IH, Larsen LE, Banyard AC, Slomka MJ. Transmission dynamics and pathogenesis differ between pheasants and partridges infected with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 and H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses. J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 38289661 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
During the UK 2020-2021 epizootic of H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b high-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), high mortality occurred during incursions in commercially farmed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). Two pheasant farms, affected separately by H5N8 and H5N1 subtypes, included adjacently housed red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa), which appeared to be unaffected. Despite extensive ongoing epizootics, H5Nx HPAIV partridge outbreaks were not reported during 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 in the UK, so it is postulated that partridges are more resistant to HPAIV infection than other gamebirds. To assess this, pathogenesis and both intra- and inter-species transmission of UK pheasant-origin H5N8-2021 and H5N1-2021 HPAIVs were investigated. Onward transmission to chickens was also assessed to better understand the risk of spread from gamebirds to other commercial poultry sectors. A lower infectious dose was required to infect pheasants with H5N8-2021 compared to H5N1-2021. However, HPAIV systemic dissemination to multiple organs within pheasants was more rapid following infection with H5N1-2021 than H5N8-2021, with the former attaining generally higher viral RNA levels in tissues. Intraspecies transmission to contact pheasants was successful for both viruses and associated with viral environmental contamination, while interspecies transmission to a first chicken-contact group was also efficient. However, further onward transmission to additional chicken contacts was only achieved with H5N1-2021. Intra-partridge transmission was only successful when high-dose H5N1-2021 was administered, while partridges inoculated with H5N8-2021 failed to shed and transmit, although extensive tissue tropism was observed for both viruses. Mortalities among infected partridges featured a longer incubation period compared to that in pheasants, for both viruses. Therefore, the susceptibility of different gamebird species and pathogenicity outcomes to the ongoing H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b HPAIVs varies, but pheasants represent a greater likelihood of H5Nx HPAIV introduction into galliforme poultry settings. Consequently, viral maintenance within gamebird populations and risks to poultry species warrant enhanced investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda H Seekings
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Yuan Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Caroline J Warren
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Charlotte K Hjulsager
- Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Saumya S Thomas
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Fabian Z X Lean
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Alejandro Nunez
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Paul Skinner
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - David Selden
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Marco Falchieri
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Hugh Simmons
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ian H Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lars E Larsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Marek J Slomka
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
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