Possible transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus to poultry by peridomestic mammals
2016
Yamaguchi, T. (Tottori University, Tottori (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture, Avian Zoonosis Research Center)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is thought to have been introduced to Japan by human migration, seasonal migration of water birds, or other factors. However, it is unclear how it was subsequently transferred to poultry kept in poultry houses. Here, we investigated the behavior of peridomestic mammals (brown rats, roof rats, house mice, Siberian or Japanese weasels, Japanese martens, and feral cats) mainly using infrared sensor cameras. Roof rats were observed to directly or indirectly contact caged chickens. Feral cats, wild weasels, or martens also frequently entered poultry houses in several farms. Farm workers were mostly unaware of the intrusions because most of them occurred near midnight or in the early morning. Previously, natural HPAIV infections in cats and wild stone martens were reported. In addition, it was reported that HPAIVs experimentally inoculated to domestic cats and ferrets, which are closely related to weasels and martens, were detected from their trachea and rectum for several days after the inoculation. These findings imply that peridomestic mammals might play an important role in transmitting HPAIV to poultry in Japan. For efficient HPAI control, greater effort may be needed to protect poultry farms from these peridomestic mammals.
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