title: When fur and feather occur together: interclass transmission of avian influenza A virus from mammals to birds through common resources.
abstract: The potential role of wild mammals in avian influenza A virus (IAV) transmission cycles has received some attention in recent years and cases where birds have transmitted IAV to mammals have been documented. However, the contrasting cycle, wherein a mammal could transmit an avian IAV to birds, has been largely overlooked. We experimentally tested the abilities of two mammalian species to transmit avian IAV to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in simulated natural environments. Results suggested that striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) can successfully transmit avian IAV to mallards through indirect contact with shared resources, as transmission was noted in 1 of 4 of the mallards tested. Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus sp.) exhibited a similar pattern, as one of five cottontail rabbits successfully transmitted IAV to a mallard, likely through environmental contamination. For each mammalian species tested, the mallards that became infected were those paired with the individual mammals with the lowest shedding levels but were anecdotally observed to be the most active animals. Mammals associated with and around poultry rearing facilities should be taken into consideration in biosecurity plans.
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: J Jeffrey
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Root
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shriner
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Kaci K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: VanDalen
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D005241:Feathers; D006197:Hair; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000502:physiology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D008322:Mammals; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000821:virology; D011817:Rabbits; D017201:Virus Shedding