title: Domestic ducks and H5N1 influenza epidemic, Thailand.
abstract: In addition to causing 12 human deaths and 17 cases of human infection, the 2004 outbreak of H5N1 influenza virus in Thailand resulted in the death or slaughter of 60 million domestic fowl and the disruption of poultry production and trade. After domestic ducks were recognized as silent carriers of H5N1 influenza virus, government teams went into every village to cull flocks in which virus was detected; these team efforts markedly reduced H5N1 infection. Here we examine the pathobiology and epidemiology of H5N1 influenza virus in the 4 systems of duck raising used in Thailand in 2004. No influenza viruses were detected in ducks raised in "closed" houses with high biosecurity. However, H5N1 influenza virus was prevalent among ducks raised in "open" houses, free-ranging (grazing) ducks, and backyard ducks.
authors.affiliation: Kaselsart University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thaweesak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Songserm
authors.forename: Rungroj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jam-on
authors.forename: Numdee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sae-Heng
authors.forename: Noppadol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meemak
authors.forename: Diane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hulse-Post
authors.forename: Katharine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sturm-Ramirez
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000821:virology; D004372:Ducks / Q000821:virology*; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000502:physiology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology