Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Papua New Guinean poultry, June 2011 to April 2012.
We investigated the circulation of avian influenza viruses in poultry populations throughout Papua New Guinea to assess the risk to the poultry industry and human health. Oropharyngeal swabs, cloacal swabs and serum were collected from 537 poultry from 14 provinces of Papua New Guinea over an 11-month period (June 2011 through April 2012). Virological and serological investigations were undertaken to determine the prevalence of avian influenza viruses. Neither influenza A viruses nor antibodies were detected in any of the samples. This study demonstrated that avian influenza viruses were not circulating at detectable levels in poultry populations in Papua New Guinea during the sampling period. However, avian influenza remains a significant risk to Papua New Guinea due to the close proximity of countries having previously reported highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and the low biosecurity precautions associated with the rearing of most poultry populations in the country.
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea .
Marinjho
M
Jonduo
Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America .
Sook-San
SS
Wong
Papua New Guinea National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea .
Nime
N
Kapo
Papua New Guinea National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea .
Paskalis
P
Ominipi
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea .
Mohammad
M
Abdad
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea .
Peter
P
Siba
Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America .
Pamela
P
McKenzie
Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America .
Richard
R
Webby
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea .
Paul
P
Horwood
D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000276:immunology; D002645:Chickens; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D004372:Ducks; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing