PREVALENCE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA (H5 AND H9) SUBTYPES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN PIGEON AND QUAIL IN LIVE BIRD MARKETS, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Intro: Poultry, like Pigeons and quail farming, is a growing sector in Bangladesh. However, the role of pet birds in Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) transmission is not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of AIV subtypes in pigeons and quails at LBMs. Methods: We collected oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples from 626 birds in 8 districts of Bangladesh from 2017 to 2021. We tested samples for the matrix gene (M gene) followed by H5, H7, and H9 subtypes using rRT-PCR. We then used statistical modeling to investigate the seasonal and temporal patterns and risk factors of AIV. Findings: The prevalence of AIV in pigeons is 17.36%, and in quail is 38.75%. The prevalence of A/H5, A/H9, and A/H5/H9 in quail is 4.17%, 17.92%, and 1.67%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of A/H5, A/H9, and A/H5/H9 in pigeons is 2.85%, 2.59%, and 0.26%. The AIV infection was higher in dry than in wet seasons in both species. The mixed-effect logistic regression model showed that the vendors having waterfowl (AOR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.04-4.33), purchasing birds from wholesale market (AOR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.48-5.92), mixing sick birds with healthy ones (AOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.04-2.45) and mingling unsold birds with new birds (AOR: 3.07; 95% CI: 2.01-4.70) were significantly more likely to be positive against AIV. The odds of AIV were more than twice as high in quail (AOR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.61-4.11) as in pigeons. Moreover. The sick and dead birds had a fourfold higher risk of AIV infection (AOR: 4.19; 95% CI: 2.38-7.35) than healthy birds. Conclusion: Our study revealed that proper hygienic practices at the vendors in LBM are not maintained. We recommend improving biosecurity practices at vendor level in LBM to limit the risk of AIV infection in pigeons and quail in Bangladesh.