Influenza A virus on oceanic islands: host and viral diversity in seabirds in the Western Indian Ocean.

ABSTRACT: Ducks and seabirds are natural hosts for influenza A viruses (IAV). On oceanic islands, the ecology of IAV could be affected by the relative diversity, abundance and density of seabirds and ducks. Seabirds are the most abundant and widespread avifauna in the Western Indian Ocean and, in this region, oceanic islands represent major breeding sites for a large diversity of potential IAV host species. Based on serological assays, we assessed the host range of IAV and the virus subtype diversity in terns of the islands of the Western Indian Ocean. We further investigated the spatial variation in virus transmission patterns between islands and identified the origin of circulating viruses using a molecular approach. Our findings indicate that terns represent a major host for IAV on oceanic island

SUBMITTER: Lebarbenchon C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4440776 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature