Environmental Sampling for Avian Influenza A(H7N9) in Live-Poultry Markets in Guangdong, China
Open Access
- 1 May 2015
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 10 (5), e0126335
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126335
Abstract
To provide an increased understanding of avian influenza A(H7N9) activity in live-poultry market in space and time and hence improve H7N9 epidemic control, an ongoing environmental sampling program in multiple live-poultry markets across Guangdong, China was conducted during March 2013–June 2014. A total of 625 live-poultry markets throughout 21 prefecture areas took part in the study. A total of 10 environmental sites in markets for sampling were identified to represent 4 different poultry-related activity areas. At least 10 environmental samples were collected from each market every month. The real time RT-PCR was performed to detect the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Field survey was conducted to investigate the sanitation status of live-poultry markets. There were 109 human infections with H7N9 avian influenza in Guangdong, of which 37 (34%) died. A total of 18741 environmental swabs were collected and subjected to real-time RT-PCR test, of which 905(4.83%) were found positive for H7N9 virus. There were 201 (32.16%) markets affected by H7N9 in 16 prefecture areas. The detection of H7N9 virus in markets spiked in winter months. 63.33% markets (38/60) had no physical segregation for poultry holding, slaughter or sale zones. Closing live-poultry market significantly decreased the H7N9 detection rate from 14.83% (112/755) to 1.67% (5/300). This study indicates the importance of live-poultry market surveillance based on environmental sampling for H7N9 Avian Influenza control. Improving live-poultry market management and sanitation and changing consumer practices are critical to reduce the risk of H7N9 infection.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Epidemiology of Human Infections with Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus in ChinaThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2014
- Can closure of live poultry markets halt the spread of H7N9?The Lancet, 2014
- Enhanced Disinfection and Regular Closure of Wet Markets Reduced the Risk of Avian Influenza A Virus TransmissionClinical Infectious Diseases, 2013
- Effect of closure of live poultry markets on poultry-to-person transmission of avian influenza A H7N9 virus: an ecological studyThe Lancet, 2013
- Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus re-emerges in China in winter 2013Eurosurveillance, 2013
- Mapping Spread and Risk of Avian Influenza A (H7N9) in ChinaScientific Reports, 2013
- Relationship Between Domestic and Wild Birds in Live Poultry Market and a Novel Human H7N9 Virus in ChinaThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2013
- H7N9 Influenza Viruses Are Transmissible in Ferrets by Respiratory DropletScience, 2013
- Case-control study of risk factors for human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2013Eurosurveillance, 2013
- Effect of Interventions on Influenza A (H9N2) Isolation in Hong Kong’s Live Poultry Markets, 1999–2005Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007