title: Sero-prevalence of avian influenza among broiler-breeder flocks in Jordan.
abstract: Thirty blood samples were collected randomly from each of the 38 breeder-broiler farms in Jordan. Serum samples were examined using indirect ELISA for specific antibodies to avian influenza virus. The overall true flock-level sero-prevalence of avian influenza was 71% (95% CI: 55,83). Positive flocks had 2-30 sero-positive chickens and half of flocks had >20 sero-positive birds. The number of sero-positive flocks varied in the studied localities with more sero-positives in farms located within the migratory route of migratory wild fowl. The examined broiler-breeder flocks had no clinical signs, or noticeable decrease in egg production; mortalities were within the normal range (0.1-1%). The number of positive sera/flock correlated with flock size. There were a no significant (Pearsons r=0.21, p=0.21) correlation between positive flocks and age. A non-pathogenic AI virus infects broiler-breeder farms in Jordan. Wild local and migrating birds might promote the further spread of this virus in Jordan and other countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Q
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Al-Natour
authors.forename: Mahmoud N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Abo-Shehada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000821:virology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies