[Isolation of influenza viruses in different species of bird in Canada in 1978].

As part of the international program on the ecology of influenza virus in animals sponsored by W.H.O., 357 influenza A viruses isolated from 2 293 cloacal samples collected from ducks and other bird species in Eastern Canada during the 1978 season were characterized antigenically. Seven hemagglutinin (Hsw 1, H2, H3, Hav2, Hav4, Hav6, Hav7) and six neuraminidase subtypes (N1, N2, Neq2, Nav1, Nav5, Nav6) in 18 different combinations were found. A comparison with viruses isolated during previous seasons indicates that subtypes do change from year-to-year and from place-to-place. Isolation of few viruses from passerine birds requires additional studies to determine if these species are truly infected with influenza virus in nature. This large reservoir of influenza A viruses circulating at the same time in ducks may well be involved in the appearance of new viruses in other species, including humans.