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May

11

2007
 
 

Dabbling with danger



Eight-year European study identifies new bird ‘flu hosts bottoms upScientists have discovered seven previously unknown bird host species of influenza A -- “bird ‘flu” -- in European populations. Reporting their findings in PLoS Pathogens, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam lead author Vincent Munster and colleagues used molecular testing techniques to assess some 323 bird species. Of these, reassuringly, only 25 species returned a positive result for influenza A. The seven newly identified hosts (Barnacle goose Branta leucopsis, Bean goose Anser fabalis, Brent goose Branta bernicla, Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus, Bewick’s swan Cygnus columbianus, Common gull Larus canus and Guillemot Cepphus grylle) are all common migratory species, so could rapidly spread disease through vulnerable wild bird populations. In addition, dabbling ducks, such as the mallard Anas platyrhynchos, were found to be riddled with all but two strains of the virus. The form that’s got us humans worried, H5N1, hasn’t yet fulfilled it’s devastating potential in Europe, and Munster’s team hope that monitoring the other, low pathogenicity strains could provide an early warning system. In the meantime, steer well clear of ducks with the sniffles. Source: Munster VJ, Baas C, Lexmond P, Waldenström J, Wallensten A, Fransson T, Rimmelzwaan GF, Beyer WEP, Schutten M, Olsen B, Osterhaus ADME & Fouchier RAM (2007) Spatial, temporal, and species variation in prevalence of influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds. PLoS Pathogens DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061 Related stories in Conservation magazine: Connecting Flights | No Easy Way Out Image © Feng Yu

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