Summary

On a company poultry complex in SW of Sydney sampling of faeces of wild waterfowl visiting the site will be undertaken. The number of samples collected is aimed to be 500.
Identification of the species of waterfowl visiting the site will be attempted. Samples collected will be transported to the laboratory at EMAI as soon as practically possible but it is anticipated that swabs may need to be stored refrigerarated for 2-3 days.
The swabs collected will be processed and tested using Influenza A mattrix PCR to identify the presence of AIV. RNA from positive PCR samples will be send to WHO influenza reference lab for typing to determine the H and N subtype as well as the pathogenicity of the virus. Samples determined to be positive for H5 or H7 will be forwarded to AAHL for confirmation and pathogenicity testing.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment for and on behalf of the State of NSW – Inactive

Objective Summary

To assess the prevalence and the range of AIV viruses present in wild waterfowl frequenting poultry farms

To gain an insight into the relative prevalence of different AIV subtypes

To try to shed light on the incursion of AIV into biosecured farms.