Susceptibility of rock doves to low-pathogenic avian influenza A viruses

Authors

Susan A. Shriner, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
J. Jeffrey Root, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Nicole L. Mooers, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/ Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO
Jeremy W. Ellis, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/ Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, COFollow
Scott R. Stopak, Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture/ Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Boise, ID
Heather J. Sullivan, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Kaci K. VanDalen, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Alan B. Franklin, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/ Wildlife ServicesFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Arch Virol (2016) 161:715–720

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Following a 2008 outbreak of North American low-pathogenic H5N8 influenza A virus at an upland gamebird farm, we sero-sampled rock doves (pigeons, Columba livia) at the outbreak site and conducted experimental inoculations of wild-caught pigeons using the H5N8 virus and another low-pathogenic virus (H4N6). While 13 % of pigeons at the outbreak site were seropositive, none were positive for exposure to H5, and one was positive for N8. Challenged pigeons exhibited low susceptibility and limited viral RNA excretion for both viruses tested, but at least one individual had RNA loads indicative of the potential for viral transmission to other birds.