Surveillance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses (H۵Nx Subtypes) in Wild Birds in Iran, ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۹

After the emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) subtypes H۵N۶ in ۲۰۱۳ and H۵N۸ in ۲۰۱۴, a surveillance study using molecular epidemiology approaches was carried out during ۲۰۱۴ – ۲۰۱۹ in Iran to discover any potential introduction or outbreak of HPAIV in wild bird populations. All sick and dead wild birds found in nature, or in cases of an outbreak, a collection of representative samples was tested using the specific molecular methods for HPAIV H۵ subtypes. Additionally, wild bird species in wetlands, several zoos, zoological gardens, or rehabilitation centers were tested for HPAIV. During the active surveillance plan, several individual and outbreak cases of HPAIV and orthoavulaviruses were identified. In general, more than ۹۰۰ fecal materials, cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs, and/or tissue samples were collected from apparently healthy live birds representing several different species and families. In addition, tissue and swab samples were collected and investigated from any reported wild birds’ mortality cases in different parts of Iran in the framework of this study. No positive bird was found among apparently healthy live birds; however, the highly pathogenic influenza viruses of H۵N۱, H۵N۲, H۵N۶, and H۵N۸ were found in individual dead birds or mass die-off cases.

Keywords:

highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) , wild birds , Surveillance , Iran , Outbreak