Avian Influenza Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Avian Influenza, including details on bird flu, h5n1, risks, vaccines, prevention.

Sero-prevalence of avian influenza among broiler-breeder flocks in Jordan.

Al-Natour MQ, Abo-Shehada MN

Department of Pathology and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.

Thirty blood samples were collected randomly from each of the 38 breeder-broiler farms in Jordan. Serum samples were examined using indirect ELISA for specific antibodies to avian influenza virus. The overall true flock-level sero-prevalence of avian influenza was 71% (95% CI: 55,83). Positive flocks had 2-30 sero-positive chickens and half of flocks had >20 sero-positive birds. The number of sero-positive flocks varied in the studied localities with more sero-positives in farms located within the migratory route of migratory wild fowl. The examined broiler-breeder flocks had no clinical signs, or noticeable decrease in egg production; mortalities were within the normal range (0.1-1%). The number of positive sera/flock correlated with flock size. There were a no significant (Pearsons r=0.21, p=0.21) correlation between positive flocks and age. A non-pathogenic AI virus infects broiler-breeder farms in Jordan. Wild local and migrating birds might promote the further spread of this virus in Jordan and other countries.

Published 21 June 2005 in Prev Vet Med, 70(1): 45-50.
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