Impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) on Black-headed Gulls <i>Chroicocephalus ridibundus</i> population in Poland in 2023

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A(H5N1) has caused the most extensive and severe epizootic event affecting both poultry and wild birds globally. This study investigated the impact of HPAIV on the breeding population of the Black-headed Gull <i>Chroicocephalus ridibundus</i>, the most abundant gull species in Poland. During the 2023 outbreak, this species was reported as the most frequently infected in the country. A higher-than-natural adult mortality rate (greater than 1.5% of the breeding individuals) was observed in 114 surveyed colonies across all regions of Poland. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of HPAIV in all 17 colonies sampled, with average adult mortality estimated at 26.1%, and ranging from 1.7% to 77.8%. The estimated mortality rate across all surveyed colonies was 22.2%. Extrapolations across the entire Polish breeding population (at least 115,000 pairs according to the national census) indicated that approximately 51,000 adult Black-headed Gulls might have perished due to HPAIV in 2023. The number of adults found dead was positively correlated with colony size (<i>r</i> = 0.733, <i>P</i> < 0.001). The deaths were associated with a single HPAIV genotype (BB) across all confirmed cases. Understanding the spread and severity of HPAIV in colonially breeding waterbirds, such as gulls, is essential for assessing the full extent of the threats this virus poses to wild bird populations.

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Publication Details

Journal
Avian Pathology
Published
2025-03-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2025.2467122
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Influenza Virus Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.42
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article

Impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) on Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus population in Poland in 2023

Zbigniew Kajzer, Sebastian Menderski, Jan Rapczyński, Arkadiusz Buczyński et al.
4 citations
Avian Pathology
Influenza Virus Research Studies
5.42
article

Impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) on Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus population in Poland in 2023

Zbigniew Kajzer, Sebastian Menderski, Jan Rapczyński, Arkadiusz Buczyński, Jakub Szymczak, Piotr Indykiewicz, Łukasz Bednarz, Szymon Beuch, Krzysztof Śmietanka, Jacek Antczak, Mateusz Ledwoń, Radosław Włodarczyk, Arkadiusz Sikora, Andrzej Dylik, Łukasz Krajewski, Klaudia Litwiniak, Dariusz Bukaciński, Wiesław Król, Dominik Marchowski, Tomasz Chodkiewicz, Przemysław Wylegała, Sławomir Rubacha, Marcin Przymencki, Monika Bukacińska, Edyta Świętoń, Piotr Minias, Dariusz Jakubas, Piotr Zieliński, Tomasz Janiszewski, Szymon Bzoma, Jacek J. Nowakowski, Katarzyna Domańska-Blicharz, Jacek Betleja, Beata Dulisz, Rafał Szczerbik, Kazimierz Walasz
article en
4 citations

Abstract

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A(H5N1) has caused the most extensive and severe epizootic event affecting both poultry and wild birds globally. This study investigated the impact of HPAIV on the breeding population of the Black-headed Gull <i>Chroicocephalus ridibundus</i>, the most abundant gull species in Poland. During the 2023 outbreak, this species was reported as the most frequently infected in the country. A higher-than-natural adult mortality rate (greater than 1.5% of the breeding individuals) was observed in 114 surveyed colonies across all regions of Poland. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of HPAIV in all 17 colonies sampled, with average adult mortality estimated at 26.1%, and ranging from 1.7% to 77.8%. The estimated mortality rate across all surveyed colonies was 22.2%. Extrapolations across the entire Polish breeding population (at least 115,000 pairs according to the national census) indicated that approximately 51,000 adult Black-headed Gulls might have perished due to HPAIV in 2023. The number of adults found dead was positively correlated with colony size (<i>r</i> = 0.733, <i>P</i> < 0.001). The deaths were associated with a single HPAIV genotype (BB) across all confirmed cases. Understanding the spread and severity of HPAIV in colonially breeding waterbirds, such as gulls, is essential for assessing the full extent of the threats this virus poses to wild bird populations.

Avian PathologyVol. 54(4)
Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology (PL), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (GB), University of Balamand (LB), Warsaw University of Life Sciences (PL), Silesian Museum (CZ), Museum and Institute of Zoology (PL), University of Łódź (PL), University of Gdańsk (PL), Zachodniopomorska Szkoła Biznesu w Szczecinie (PL), Truking (China) (CN), National Veterinary Research Institute (PL), Kujawy and Pomorze University in Bydgoszcz (PL), Institute of Nature Conservation (PL), Alberta Conservation Association (CA), Białowieża National Park (PL), Lithuanian Ornithological Society (LT), Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals (PL), University of Zielona Góra (PL), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (PL), AGH University of Krakow (PL), Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (PL), Polish Academy of Sciences (PL)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Influenza Virus Research Studies
5.42
DOISourceOpenAlex
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