Influenza A virus infections in land birds, People's Republic of China

Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Oct;14(10):1644-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1410.080169.

Abstract

Water birds are considered the reservoir for avian influenza viruses. We examined this assumption by sampling and real-time reverse transcription-PCR testing of 939 Asian land birds of 153 species. Influenza A infection was found, particularly among migratory species. Surveillance programs for monitoring spread of these viruses need to be redesigned.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds / virology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Ecosystem
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A virus / classification
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology*