Wild passerines as potential carriers and sources of avian influenza viruses in Ukraine.

ABSTRACT: Wild waterfowl and shorebirds are the primary reservoir of influenza A viruses in nature. The role of wild birds from other taxonomic groups remains insufficiently studied or is a subject of debate. This applies in particular to Passeriformes, the most diverse avian order, accounting for approximately 60% of the global bird population, where the role in circulation of influenza A viruses is underexplored. We used serological, virological, and PCR-based methods to survey avian influenza viruses in Passeriformes birds (65 species, 20 families) in Ukraine over a 20-year period, 2004-2025. Antibodies to influenza viruses were detected in serum and egg yolk of seven passerine species, with average seroprevalence 1.24% in sera and 8.94% in yolk samples. Seroprevalence varied across species, rang

SUBMITTER: Muzyka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12864440 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature