Molecular epidemiology and pathogenicity of H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses in clinically affected chickens on farms in Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT: Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 co-circulate in poultry in Bangladesh, causing significant bird morbidity and mortality. Despite their importance to the poultry value chain, the role of farms in spreading and maintaining AIV infections remains poorly understood in most disease-endemic settings. To address this crucial gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study between 2017 and 2019 in the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh in clinically affected and dead chickens in farms with suspected AIV infection. Viral prevalence of each subtype was approximately 10% among farms for which veterinary advice was sought, indicating high levels of virus circulation in chicken farms despite the low number of reported outbreaks. Co-circulation of both subtypes was common in farms, with our

SUBMITTER: Ripa RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8635652 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature