Characterizing wild bird contact and seropositivity to highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Alaskan residents. Issue 5 (14th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reed, Carrie; Bruden, Dana; Byrd, Kathy K.; Veguilla, Vic; Bruce, Michael; Hurlburt, Debby; Wang, David; Holiday, Crystal; Hancock, Kathy; Ortiz, Justin R.; Klejka, Joe; Katz, Jacqueline M.; Uyeki, Timothy M.
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 8:Issue 5(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 523
• Publication Date: 2014-05-14
• Subjects: Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="irv12253-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="irv12253-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 viruses have infected poultry and wild birds on three continents with more than 600 reported human cases (59% mortality) since 2003. Wild aquatic birds are the natural reservoir for avian influenza A viruses, and migratory birds have been documented with HPAI H5N1 virus infection. Since 2005, clade 2.2 HPAI H5N1 viruses have spread from Asia to many countries.</p> </sec> <sec id="irv12253-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>We conducted a cross‐sectional seroepidemiological survey in Anchorage and western Alaska to identify possible behaviors associated with migratory bird exposure and measure seropositivity to HPAI H5N1.</p> </sec> <sec id="irv12253-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We enrolled rural subsistence bird hunters and their families, urban sport hunters, wildlife biologists, and a comparison group without bird contact. We interviewed participants regarding their exposures to wild birds and collected blood to perform serologic testing for antibodies against a clade 2.2 HPAI H5N1 virus strain.</p> </sec> <sec id="irv12253-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Hunters and wildlife biologists reported exposures to wild migratory birds that may confer risk of infection with avian influenza A viruses, although none of the 916 participants had evidence of seropositivity to HPAI H5N1.</p> </sec> <sec id="irv12253-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>We characterized wild bird contact among Alaskans and behaviors that may influence risk of infection with avian influenza A viruses. Such knowledge can inform surveillance and risk communication surrounding HPAI H5N1 and other influenza viruses in a population with exposure to wild birds at a crossroads of intercontinental migratory flyways.</p> </sec> </abstract>