SERO-SURVEILLANCE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA SUBTYPES H5, H7, AND H9 IN BACKYARD POULTRY

Avian influenza viruses (Bird flu) cause sickness and mortality in backyard and commercial poultry.Poultry is one of the most successful segments of the livestock business, with a 700-billion-rupee investment.Pakistan is the world's 11 th producer but since last few decades' avian influenza virus outbreaks have increased globally including Pakistan.The current study was conducted to determine Sero-surveillance of avian influenza subtypes H5, H7 and H9 in backyard poultry of Abbottabad region.Total 400 random samples were collected from Abbottabad, Havelian, Lora and Lower Tanawal for serological analysis at Veterinary Research and Disease Investigation Center Abbottabad (VR&DIC).Out of 400 blood and tissue samples, 60.85% were found positive while 39.15% were negative.The positive cases for H5 remained 73.16%,H7: 9.39% and H9: 80.10% as confirmed by serological testing and RT-PCR.The highest prevalence was observed in Golden Fayoumi breed of birds.The highest prevalence of H5 was in Abbottabad (9.25%) in Golden Fayoumi (15.32%).20 weeks old birds were more affected by H5 (16.66%).H7 was at highest prevalence in Lora (27.27%) and lowest in Abbottabad (10.09%) compared to Havelian (22.85%) and Lower Tanawal (10.20%) respectively.More effected breed of H7 was Fancy (21.62%).The highest prevalence of H7 was observed in birds in age group of 20 to 60 weeks (27.23%).The highest prevalence of H9 was observed in Abbottabad (76.15%) in Golden Fayoumi birds (76.64%) followed by Havelian (75.24%),Lora (69.32%) and Lower Tanawal (72.45%) were less prevalent than Abbottabad.The highest prevalence age was 20 to 60 weeks for H9 (96.17%).Also, coinfection of H5 and H9 was reported during current study.Avian influenza can be controlled by proper and in time vaccination of birds.In addition, it is advisable to avoid congested environment to prevent spread of virus from one bird to another.Moreover, to prevent avian influenza one must avoid contaminated food and water to the birds and awareness of farmer and bird owners about vaccination and cleanliness.The current study strongly suggested that continuous surveillance is needed to reduce AIVs infection.