Surveillance of Scavenging Ducks for Low-Pathogenicity (H9N2) Avian Influenza Virus

Scavenging ducks play an important role in. the epidemiology of H9N2 avian influenza virus infection but little is known about the serological status of infection in these birds in Iran. Serological studies were carried out to determine the status of infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus in scavenging ducks. Samples were collected from 400 birds from 4 different locations (North, South, East and West) in Iran and evaluated by using the Hemagglutination-Inhibition (HI) test. The studied ducks had not been previously vaccinated and showed no clinical signs of disease. The overall HI titer and seroprevalence of H9N2 were 7.9 and 80.92%, respectively. Results of this investigation provide important information about the prevalence of LPAIV in scavenging ducks in Iran especially wetlands which represent an important wintering site for migratory water birds.