Virology & Mycology

Virology & Mycology
Open Access

ISSN: 2161-0517

+44 1223 790975

Influenza in a wildlife/livestock interface: surveillance in backyard farms from Mexico


Joint Event 10th International Virology Summit & 4th International Conference on Influenza & Zoonotic Diseases

July 02-04, 2018 | Vienna, Austria

Jessica Paola Mateus Anzola and Rafael Ojeda Flores

Universidad Nacional Aut�³noma de M�©xico, M�©xico

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Virol Mycol

Abstract :

Characterization of the wildlife-livestock interface represents a key element to understand epidemiological dynamics. Almost 77% of livestock pathogens infect multiple host species, including wildlife. In addition, wild birds in proximity to farms, lack of biosecurity measures and close contact among several animal species are considered as risk factors for the introduction and spread of influenza A virus (IAV). In Mexico, backyard farms represent an important percentage of the national animal production and have an essential role in the household economy of rural people. Nevertheless, a knowledge gap remains in the wildlife-pig interface. Backyard farms near to Lerma marshes, a natural protected area and bird conservation zone with legal waterfowl hunting, constitute a relevant surveillance area for influenza virus. Therefore, seven pig backyard farms located within a radius of 5 Kms from the marsh boundaries were sampled and tested by high sensitive qRT-PCR for the detection of IAV. Besides, a simulation modeling approach was implemented considering three different scenarios of connectivity among farms (low, medium and high) to evaluate the contribution of backyard pig trade network in the influenza transmission. All farms were characterized by lack of vaccination, low biosecurity, close contact between poultry and swine, close proximity to other farms and low distance to roads. Furthermore, the consequence of these modifications in connectivity directly influenced both time and duration of influenza virus transmission. The complexity of this system enhances the necessity to further evaluate this wildlife-pig interface which provides an overview of the national reality.

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