title: Australian surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild birds between July 2005 and June 2007.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify and gain an understanding of the influenza viruses circulating in wild birds in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16,303 swabs and 3782 blood samples were collected and analysed for avian influenza (AI) viruses from 16,420 wild birds in Australia between July 2005 and June 2007. Anseriformes and Charadriiformes were primarily targeted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cloacal, oropharyngeal and faecal (environmental) swabs were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the AI type A matrix gene. Positive samples underwent virus culture and subtyping. Serum samples were analysed using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for influenza A virus nucleoprotein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No highly pathogenic AI viruses were identified. However, 164 PCR tests were positive for the AI type A matrix gene, 46 of which were identified to subtype. A total of five viruses were isolated, three of which had a corresponding positive PCR and subtype identification (H3N8, H4N6, H7N6). Low pathogenic AI H5 and/or H7 was present in wild birds in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Antibodies to influenza A were also detected in 15.0% of the birds sampled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although low pathogenic AI virus subtypes are currently circulating in Australia, their prevalence is low (1.0% positive PCR). Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further epidemiological information about circulating viruses and to identify any changes in subtype prevalence.
authors: Australian Wildlife Health Network, PO Box 20, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia. lhaynes@zoo.org.au
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Haynes
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Arzey
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bell
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Buchanan
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Burgess
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Cronan
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Dickason
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Field
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gibbs
authors: Pm
authors: P
authors: Hansbro
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Hollingsworth
authors: Ac
authors: A
authors: Hurt
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Kirkland
authors: H
authors: H
authors: McCracken
authors: J
authors: J
authors: O'Connor
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Tracey
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wallner
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Warner
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Woods
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bunn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D046091:Charadriiformes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins