Bird Migration and Influenza Active
The movement and transmission of avian influenza viruses in wild birds may differ by the migratory nature of each host species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health >> Avian Influenza
Mallard
The movement and transmission of avian influenza viruses in wild birds may differ by the migratory nature of each host species. USGS research examined migration patterns of mallards and northern pintails and found that mallards appear less likely to make migratory flights between Alaska and Asia. Thus, mallards are less likely to transfer Asian origin viruses directly to North America via Alaska. However, mallards may be acommon species to transmit avian influenza viruses once infected.
Blue-winged Teal and H7 avian influenza
Many blue-winged teal winter in the Neotropics and breed in southern Canada. Thus, the migratory routes of this species are a potential pathway for infectious agents to move between the Neotropics and North America. For example, H7 subtype influenza viruses, which have important implications for domestic animal and human health, are seasonally abundant in blue-winged teal in spring. Although preliminary data suggest that these viruses do not contain South American types of viruses, it remains unclear if teal are transporting H7 viruses from Neotropic wintering areas (e.g. Columbia, Guatemala, and Mexico) into the United States and which locations may be at highest risk for the introduction of viruses. Using a combination of satellite telemetry and genomic sequencing of influenza viruses, this project investigates the intercontinental movement of hosts and viruses between the United States and the Neotropics. Results will provide information to optimize surveillance efforts for the introduction of avian pathogens into the southern United States and generate information that may be used to improve biosecurity of poultry production facilities in this region.
Northern Pintail
Early on, the USGS identified the Northern Pintail as a model species to test the hypothesis that wild birds play a role in the dispersal of avian influenza viruses between continents. Northern Pintails are one of the most common waterfowl species, breeding throughout high latitudes of Russian and Alaska and wintering throughout Asia and the lower-48 U.S. USGS research in the U.S. and Japan determined Northern Pintails are highly migratory, with satellite telemetry and band recovery data finding movement of pintails between East Asia and North America. Population genetic and banding data demonstrated that East Asia and Pacific U.S. populations are essentially one group that partially overlaps in northeastern Russia during the summer. In 2008, the USGS conducted genetic sequencing of avian influenza viruses isolated from pintails in Alaska and revealed a high frequency of Eurasian genes, suggesting viral gene flow between Asian and North America (See Koehler et al. 2008). Ongoing USGS Alaska Science Center research continues to provide support for maintaining Northern Pintails as a species of interest in surveillance efforts for foreign-origin pathogens into North America.
Tundra Swan
Because Tundra Swans are potentially susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, we sought to better understand the migration of Tundra Swans throughout North America. This project documents population differences in migration patterns and wintering distribution of Tundra Swans that breed across Alaska. A total of 50 Tundra Swans were fitted with satellite transmitters (PTT) at five different breeding areas in Alaska, including the southern and northern Alaska Peninsula, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, drainages of Kotzebue Sound, and the Arctic Coastal Plain. An understanding of population-specific movement patterns of this widespread species will facilitate management of wildlife and domestic poultry populations and improve our understanding of the role of migratory birds in the redistribution of pathogens and contaminants.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds are a reservoir of avian influenza viruses and long-distance migrants, often crossing large distances in a single flight. As many as 20 shorebird species that visit North America in summer have migratory routes through Asia that overlap with past outbreak areas of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Thus, from a migratory perspective shorebirds constitute an important taxonomic group for avian influenza surveillance sampling in North America. However, few shorebirds have tested positive for avian influenza on the west coast of North America, in stark contrast to the Atlantic coast where prevalence is higher. USGS research demonstrated the shorebirds should not likely be considered a high priority for future avian influenza sampling on the west coast of the U.S. due to their low prevalence of viruses.
Gulls
Gulls are a common reservoir species for avian influenza viruses and have been a high priority species to sample for pathogens because populations in western Alaska are thought to migrate to Asia for winter and thus have connections with outbreak areas of highly pathogenic avian influenza. However, little is known about the migratory routes of gulls from northern and western Alaska. Additionally, gulls are scavengers of dead animals and at landfills and may thus be a disease dispersal species, moving pathogens between wildlife and human environments. The USGS Alaska Science Center is examining the prevalence and diversity of avian influenza in gulls each year through surveillance sampling. Research is also examining how other marine birds may play a role in the maintenance and dispersal of avian influenza viruses.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Avian Influenza Research
Below are publications associated with this project.
Satellite‐tracking of Northern Pintail Anas acuta during outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in Japan: Implications for virus spread
Intercontinental reassortment and genomic variation of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from northern pintails (Anas acuta) in Alaska: examining the evidence through space and time
Avian influenza at both ends of a migratory flyway: characterizing viral genomic diversity to optimize surveillance plans for North America
Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California
Genetic evidence of intercontinental movement of avian influenza in a migratory bird: The northern pintail (Anas acuta)
- Overview
The movement and transmission of avian influenza viruses in wild birds may differ by the migratory nature of each host species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health >> Avian Influenza
Mallard
The movement and transmission of avian influenza viruses in wild birds may differ by the migratory nature of each host species. USGS research examined migration patterns of mallards and northern pintails and found that mallards appear less likely to make migratory flights between Alaska and Asia. Thus, mallards are less likely to transfer Asian origin viruses directly to North America via Alaska. However, mallards may be acommon species to transmit avian influenza viruses once infected.
Blue-winged Teal and H7 avian influenza
Many blue-winged teal winter in the Neotropics and breed in southern Canada. Thus, the migratory routes of this species are a potential pathway for infectious agents to move between the Neotropics and North America. For example, H7 subtype influenza viruses, which have important implications for domestic animal and human health, are seasonally abundant in blue-winged teal in spring. Although preliminary data suggest that these viruses do not contain South American types of viruses, it remains unclear if teal are transporting H7 viruses from Neotropic wintering areas (e.g. Columbia, Guatemala, and Mexico) into the United States and which locations may be at highest risk for the introduction of viruses. Using a combination of satellite telemetry and genomic sequencing of influenza viruses, this project investigates the intercontinental movement of hosts and viruses between the United States and the Neotropics. Results will provide information to optimize surveillance efforts for the introduction of avian pathogens into the southern United States and generate information that may be used to improve biosecurity of poultry production facilities in this region.
Northern Pintail
Early on, the USGS identified the Northern Pintail as a model species to test the hypothesis that wild birds play a role in the dispersal of avian influenza viruses between continents. Northern Pintails are one of the most common waterfowl species, breeding throughout high latitudes of Russian and Alaska and wintering throughout Asia and the lower-48 U.S. USGS research in the U.S. and Japan determined Northern Pintails are highly migratory, with satellite telemetry and band recovery data finding movement of pintails between East Asia and North America. Population genetic and banding data demonstrated that East Asia and Pacific U.S. populations are essentially one group that partially overlaps in northeastern Russia during the summer. In 2008, the USGS conducted genetic sequencing of avian influenza viruses isolated from pintails in Alaska and revealed a high frequency of Eurasian genes, suggesting viral gene flow between Asian and North America (See Koehler et al. 2008). Ongoing USGS Alaska Science Center research continues to provide support for maintaining Northern Pintails as a species of interest in surveillance efforts for foreign-origin pathogens into North America.
Tundra Swan
Because Tundra Swans are potentially susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, we sought to better understand the migration of Tundra Swans throughout North America. This project documents population differences in migration patterns and wintering distribution of Tundra Swans that breed across Alaska. A total of 50 Tundra Swans were fitted with satellite transmitters (PTT) at five different breeding areas in Alaska, including the southern and northern Alaska Peninsula, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, drainages of Kotzebue Sound, and the Arctic Coastal Plain. An understanding of population-specific movement patterns of this widespread species will facilitate management of wildlife and domestic poultry populations and improve our understanding of the role of migratory birds in the redistribution of pathogens and contaminants.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds are a reservoir of avian influenza viruses and long-distance migrants, often crossing large distances in a single flight. As many as 20 shorebird species that visit North America in summer have migratory routes through Asia that overlap with past outbreak areas of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Thus, from a migratory perspective shorebirds constitute an important taxonomic group for avian influenza surveillance sampling in North America. However, few shorebirds have tested positive for avian influenza on the west coast of North America, in stark contrast to the Atlantic coast where prevalence is higher. USGS research demonstrated the shorebirds should not likely be considered a high priority for future avian influenza sampling on the west coast of the U.S. due to their low prevalence of viruses.
Gulls
Gulls are a common reservoir species for avian influenza viruses and have been a high priority species to sample for pathogens because populations in western Alaska are thought to migrate to Asia for winter and thus have connections with outbreak areas of highly pathogenic avian influenza. However, little is known about the migratory routes of gulls from northern and western Alaska. Additionally, gulls are scavengers of dead animals and at landfills and may thus be a disease dispersal species, moving pathogens between wildlife and human environments. The USGS Alaska Science Center is examining the prevalence and diversity of avian influenza in gulls each year through surveillance sampling. Research is also examining how other marine birds may play a role in the maintenance and dispersal of avian influenza viruses.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Avian Influenza Research
Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These... - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 17Satellite‐tracking of Northern Pintail Anas acuta during outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in Japan: Implications for virus spread
We fitted Northern Pintail Anas acuta in Japan with satellite transmitters and monitored their spring migration movements relative to locations where the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus in 2008. Pintails were assumed not to be infected with the H5N1 virus at the time they were marked because capture occurred between 2 and 5 months before repAuthorsNoriyuki Yamaguchi, Jerry W. Hupp, Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Paul L. Flint, John M. PearceIntercontinental reassortment and genomic variation of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from northern pintails (Anas acuta) in Alaska: examining the evidence through space and time
Migration and population genetic data for northern pintails (Anas acuta) and phylogenetic analysis of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses from this host in Alaska suggest that northern pintails are involved in ongoing intercontinental transmission of avian influenza. Here, we further refine this conclusion through phylogenetic analyses which demonstrate that detection of foreign lineageAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, John M. Pearce, Paul L. Flint, Hon S. Ip, Dirk V. Derksen, J. Christian Franson, Michael J. Petrula, Bradley D. Scotton, Kristine M. Sowl, Michael L. Wege, Kimberly A. TrustAvian influenza at both ends of a migratory flyway: characterizing viral genomic diversity to optimize surveillance plans for North America
Although continental populations of avian influenza viruses are genetically distinct, transcontinental reassortment in low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses has been detected in migratory birds. Thus, genomic analyses of LPAI viruses could serve as an approach to prioritize species and regions targeted by North American surveillance activities for foreign origin highly pathogenic avian infAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Andrew M. Ramey, Paul L. Flint, Anson V. Koehler, Joseph P. Fleskes, J. Christian Franson, Jeffrey S. Hall, Dirk V. Derksen, Hon S. IpBreeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California
The global redistribution of pathogens, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, has renewed interest in the connectivity of continental populations of birds. Populations of the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) wintering in Japan and California are considered separate from a management perspective. We used data from band recoveries and population genetics to assess the degree of biological independAuthorsPaul L. Flint, Kiyoaki Ozaki, John M. Pearce, Brian Guzzetti, Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Joseph P. Fleskes, Tetsuo Shimada, Dirk V. DerksenGenetic evidence of intercontinental movement of avian influenza in a migratory bird: The northern pintail (Anas acuta)
The role of migratory birds in the movement of the highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza H5N1 remains a subject of debate. Testing hypotheses regarding intercontinental movement of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses will help evaluate the potential that wild birds could carry Asian-origin strains of HP avian influenza to North America during migration. Previous North American assessmenAuthorsA.V. Koehler, John M. Pearce, Paul L. Flint, J. C. Franson, Hon S. Ip