Influenza

Domestic swine have been viewed as important for the adaptation and spillover of IA from birds into human populations as they are sensitive to both avian and mammalian (including human) influenza viruses [1]. However, in much of Eurasia and North America wild swine are geographically widespread, abundant and often come in close contact with humans in rural and agricultural settings. Until recently, little attention has been paid to this as an alternate route for IA transmission to human and domestic populations and its significance is not clear.

Therefore, the monitoring of the exposure of wild mammals to IA was viewed as essential as potential vectors impacting domestic animals and public health.

Objective

A preliminary serological survey was carried out to assess the likelihood of Influenza A (IA) infection in wild boars and begin to characterize the role of wild boars in the epidemiology of the IA virus.

Public Health England (PHE) uses syndromic surveillance systems to monitor for seasonal increases in respiratory illness. Respiratory illnesses create a considerable burden on health care services and therefore identifying the timing and intensity of peaks of activity is important for public health decision-making. Furthermore, identifying the incidence of specific respiratory pathogens circulating in the community is essential for targeting public health interventions e.g. vaccination. Syndromic surveillance can provide early warning of increases, but cannot explicitly identify the pathogens responsible for such increases.

PHE uses a range of general and specific respiratory syndromic indicators in their syndromic surveillance systems, e.g. “all respiratory disease”, “influenza-like illness”, “bronchitis” and “cough”. Previous research has shown that “influenza-like illness” is associated with influenza circulating in the community1 whilst “cough” and “bronchitis” syndromic indicators in children under 5 are associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)2, 3. However, the relative burden of other pathogens, e.g. rhinovirus and parainfluenza is less well understood. We have sought to further understand the relationship between specific pathogens and syndromic indicators and to improve estimates of disease burden. Therefore, we modelled the association between pathogen incidence, using laboratory reports and health care presentations, using syndromic data. 

Objective

To improve understanding of the relative burden of different causative respiratory pathogens on respiratory syndromic indicators monitored using syndromic surveillance systems in England. 

Community influenza infection rates are highest among children. In children, influenza can cause severe illness and complications including, respiratory failure and death. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥ 6 months. In 2004, influenza- associated deaths in children became a notifiable condition. 

Objective

To characterize and describe influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the United States over five influenza seasons, 2010–11 through 2014–15. 

Aquatic birds are the main reservoirs of influenza viruses, however, pigs represent an essential host in virus ecology as they are susceptible to both avian and human influenza viruses. Circulating zoonotic influenza (A/H7N9, A/H5N1, and A/H3N2v) viruses could mutate into forms easily transmissible from human-to-human and become a public health concern. Georgia is located along routes used by migrating birds where different species of aquatic birds are found. In 2006, highly pathogenic influenza virus A/H5N1 was detected in two wild swans in Adjara (western Georgia). Moreover, in the frame of wild bird surveillance, various subtypes of influenza A viruses were detected in mallard and gulls in Georgia (Lewis, 2013). Thus domestic animals in Georgia have a potential chance to contract influenza viruses from wild birds. 

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify zoonotic influenza viruses in swine and poultry populations in Georgia and to define their pandemic potential. 

Influenza is a serious problem for the health of people, animals and birds. Therefore, comprehensive study of influenza virus, its natural reservoir, pathogenesis and immune response will provide further opportunity to ensure protection for animals, birds and people from this infection. 

Objective

To study the immune response in chicken on the administration of LPAIV isolated from the natural reservoir. 

Live poultry markets (LPMs) continue to operate in many Asian countries. Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses are often endemic in the poultry, and LPM presents the opportunity for human-poultry interactions and potential human infections with avian influenza viruses.

As a series of interventions to control avian influenza transmission in Hong Kong LPMs, local health authority implemented market rest days once every month since mid-2001, and an additional rest day every month since 2003, during which all unsold poultry were slaughtered and the stalls cleaned and disinfected. Rest days were found to effectively reduce avian influenza A(H9N2) isolation rate to baseline level for a few days following the rest days. However, H9N2 isolation rate was still observed to be increasing between the rest days, indicating the existence of efficient transmission in spite of rapid turnover of poultry.

In LPMs, poultry are usually stored in cages where drinking water is shared among poultry. This is analogous to environmental contamination in the wild, but transmissibility may even be higher due to the dense environment. The use of drinking water for avian influenza surveillance in LPM setting was suggested to be more sensitive than fecal samples. However, the relative contribution of direct fecal-oral versus water transmission routes in the LPM setting was not yet understood. This study aimed to determine their role, which will have implications in the control of avian influenza transmission. 

Objective

This study assessed the transmission of low pathogenic avian influenza in live poultry market setting, using paired fecal and drinking water samples from a longitudinal surveillance program. The relative contribution of transmission via direct fecal-oral route versus drinking water will be determined. 

The ICD-9 codes for acute respiratory illness (ARI) and pneumonia/influenza (P&I) are commonly used in ARI surveillance; however, few studies evaluate the accuracy of these codes or the importance of ICD-9 position. We reviewed ICD-9 codes reported among patients identified through severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance to compare medical record documentation with medical coding and evaluated ICD-9 codes assigned to patients with influenza detections.