BACKGROUND: Very little is known regarding the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses in natural settings during outbreaks in tropical countries, although environmental factors may well play a role in the persistence and in the transmission of H5N1 virus. OBJECTIVE: To investigate various environmental compartments surrounding outbreak areas as potential sources for H5N1 virus transmission. METHODS: Environmental specimens were collected following outbreaks of avian influenza in Cambodia between April 2007 and February 2010. The methods used to concentrate H5N1 virus from water samples were based either on agglutination of the virus with chicken red blood cells or on adsorption on glass wool, followed by an elution-concentration step. An elution-concentration method was used for mud specimens. All samples that tested positive by real-time RT-PCRs (qRT-PCRs) targeting the HA5, M and NA1 genes were inoculated into embryonated hen eggs for virus isolation. RESULTS: Of a total of 246 samples, 46 (19%) tested positive for H5N1 by qRT-PCRs. Viral RNA was frequently detected in dust, mud and soil samples from the farms' environment (respectively, 46%, 31% and 15%). Samples collected from ponds gave a lower proportion of positive samples (6%) as compared to those collected from the farms (24%). In only one sample, infectious virus particles were successfully isolated. CONCLUSION: During H5N1 virus outbreaks, numerous environmental samples surrounding outbreak areas are contaminated by the virus and may act as potential sources for human and/or animal contamination.
BACKGROUND: Very little is known regarding the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses in natural settings during outbreaks in tropical countries, although environmental factors may well play a role in the persistence and in the transmission of H5N1 virus. OBJECTIVE: To investigate various environmental compartments surrounding outbreak areas as potential sources for H5N1 virus transmission. METHODS:Environmental specimens were collected following outbreaks of avian influenza in Cambodia between April 2007 and February 2010. The methods used to concentrate H5N1 virus from water samples were based either on agglutination of the virus with chicken red blood cells or on adsorption on glass wool, followed by an elution-concentration step. An elution-concentration method was used for mud specimens. All samples that tested positive by real-time RT-PCRs (qRT-PCRs) targeting the HA5, M and NA1 genes were inoculated into embryonated hen eggs for virus isolation. RESULTS: Of a total of 246 samples, 46 (19%) tested positive for H5N1 by qRT-PCRs. Viral RNA was frequently detected in dust, mud and soil samples from the farms' environment (respectively, 46%, 31% and 15%). Samples collected from ponds gave a lower proportion of positive samples (6%) as compared to those collected from the farms (24%). In only one sample, infectious virus particles were successfully isolated. CONCLUSION: During H5N1 virus outbreaks, numerous environmental samples surrounding outbreak areas are contaminated by the virus and may act as potential sources for human and/or animal contamination.
Authors: Maria D Van Kerkhove; Sirenda Vong; Javier Guitian; Davun Holl; Punam Mangtani; Sorn San; Azra C Ghani Journal: Vaccine Date: 2009-10-23 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: Nadia Ali Rimi; Rebeca Sultana; Kazi Ishtiak-Ahmed; Salah Uddin Khan; M A Yushuf Sharker; Rashid Uz Zaman; Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner; Emily S Gurley; Nazmun Nahar; Stephen P Luby Journal: Ecohealth Date: 2013-12-04 Impact factor: 3.184
Authors: Sowath Ly; Sirenda Vong; Philippe Cavailler; Elizabeth Mumford; Channa Mey; Sareth Rith; Maria D Van Kerkhove; San Sorn; Touch Sok; Arnaud Tarantola; Philippe Buchy Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2016-11-04 Impact factor: 3.090