Putative human and avian risk factors for avian influenza virus infections in backyard poultry in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype H5Nl causes significant poultry mortality in 
the six countries where it is endemic and can also infect humans. Egypt has reported the 
third highest number of poultry outbreaks (n = 1084) globally. The objective of this cross- 
sectional study was to identify putative risk factors for H5Nl infections in backyard 
poultry in 16 villages in Damietta, El Gharbia, Fayoum, and Menofia governorates from 
2010-2012. Cloacal and tracheal swabs and serum samples from domestic (n = 1242) and 
wild birds (n = 807) were tested for H5Nl via RT-PCR and hemagglutination inhibition, 
respectively. We measured poultry rearing practices with questionnaires (n = 306 
households) and contact rates among domestic and wild bird species with scan sampling. 
Domestic birds (chickens, ducks, and geese, n = 51) in three governorates tested positive 
for H5Nl by PCR or serology. A regression model identified a significant correlation 
between H5Nl in poultry and the practice of disposing of dead poultry and poultry feces in 
the garbage (F = 15.7, P < 0.0001). In addition, contact between domestic and wild birds 
was more frequent in villages where we detected H5Nl in backyard flocks (F= 29.5, 
p <0.0001).