The ecology of avian influenza viruses in wild dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) in Canada

PLoS One. 2017 May 5;12(5):e0176297. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176297. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Avian influenza virus (AIV) occurrence and transmission remain important wildlife and human health issues in much of the world, including in North America. Through Canada's Inter-Agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey, close to 20,000 apparently healthy, wild dabbling ducks (of seven species) were tested for AIV between 2005 and 2011. We used these data to identify and evaluate ecological and demographic correlates of infection with low pathogenic AIVs in wild dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) across Canada. Generalized linear mixed effects model analyses revealed that risk of AIV infection was higher in hatch-year birds compared to adults, and was positively associated with a high proportion of hatch-year birds in the population. Males were more likely to be infected than females in British Columbia and in Eastern Provinces of Canada, but more complex relationships among age and sex cohorts were found in the Prairie Provinces. A species effect was apparent in Eastern Canada and British Columbia, where teal (A. discors and/or A. carolinensis) were less likely to be infected than mallards (A. platyrhynchos). Risk of AIV infection increased with the density of the breeding population, in both Eastern Canada and the Prairie Provinces, and lower temperatures preceding sampling were associated with a higher probability of AIV infection in Eastern Canada. Our results provide new insights into the ecological and demographic factors associated with AIV infection in waterfowl.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology*
  • Canada
  • Ducks / virology*
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*

Grants and funding

Financial support for analysis of surveillance data was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Financial, field, and laboratory support for Canada’s Inter-Agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey was provided by ECCC, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, Provincial/Territorial departments responsible for agriculture (animal health), wildlife, and public health, the Centre for Coastal Health, Ducks Unlimited Canada (Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research), Alberta Conservation Association, and University of Saskatchewan.