Wild waterfowl are primary reservoirs of avian influenza viruses (AIV). However the role of sea ducks in the ecology of avian influenza, and how that role differs from freshwater ducks, has not been examined. We obtained and analyzed sera from North Atlantic sea ducks and determined the seroprevalence in those populations. We also tested swab samples from North Atlantic sea ducks for the presence of AIV. We found relatively high serological prevalence (61%) in these sea duck populations but low virus prevalence (0.3%). Using these data we estimated that an antibody half-life of 141 weeks (3.2 years) would be required to attain these prevalences. These findings are much different than what is known in freshwater waterfowl and have implications for surveillance efforts, AIV in marine environments, and the roles of sea ducks and other long-lived waterfowl in avian influenza ecology.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Title | Avian influenza ecology in North Atlantic sea ducks: Not all ducks are created equal |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0144524 |
| Authors | Jeffrey S. Hall, Robin E. Russell, J. Christian Franson, Catherine Soos, Robert J. Dusek, R. Bradford Allen, Sean W. Nashold, Joshua L. Teslaa, Jón Einar Jónsson, Jennifer R. Ballard, Naomi Jnae Harms, Justin D. Brown |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | PLoS ONE |
| Index ID | 70164511 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | National Wildlife Health Center; Contaminant Biology Program |
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Robert Dusek
Wildlife Biologist/Epidemiologist
Sean Nashold
Lead Biological Science Laboratory Technician
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Robert Dusek
Wildlife Biologist/EpidemiologistEmailPhoneSean Nashold
Lead Biological Science Laboratory TechnicianEmailPhone