Next Article in Journal
Strengthening Surveillance Systems for Malaria Elimination by Integrating Molecular and Genomic Data
Previous Article in Journal
Timeliness of Infectious Diseases Referral and Inappropriate Antibiotic Usage Post-Referral in an Asian Tertiary Hospital
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
TropicalMed
Volume 4
Issue 4
10.3390/tropicalmed4040138
tropicalmed-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

The Pattern of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in South Asia

by
Sukanta Chowdhury
1,*,
Mohammad Enayet Hossain
1,
Probir Kumar Ghosh
1,
Sumon Ghosh
1,
Muhammad Belal Hossain
1,
Cindy Beard
2,
Mahmudur Rahman
1 and
Mohammed Ziaur Rahman
1
1
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
2
Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2019, 4(4), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4040138
Submission received: 15 October 2019 / Revised: 11 November 2019 / Accepted: 12 November 2019 / Published: 27 November 2019
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has caused severe illnesses in poultry and in humans. More than 15,000 outbreaks in domestic birds from 2005 to 2018 and 861 human cases from 2003 to 2019 were reported across the world to OIE (Office International des Epizooties) and WHO (World Health Organization), respectively. We reviewed and summarized the spatial and temporal distribution of HPAI outbreaks in South Asia. During January 2006 to June 2019, a total of 1063 H5N1 outbreaks in birds and 12 human cases for H5N1 infection were reported to OIE and WHO, respectively. H5N1 outbreaks were detected more in the winter season than the summer season (RR 5.11, 95% CI: 4.28–6.1). Commercial poultry were three times more likely to be infected with H5N1 than backyard poultry (RR 3.47, 95% CI: 2.99–4.01). The highest number of H5N1 outbreaks was reported in 2008, and the smallest numbers were reported in 2014 and 2015. Multiple subtypes of avian influenza viruses and multiple clades of H5N1 virus were detected. Early detection and reporting of HPAI viruses are needed to control and eliminate HPAI in South Asia.

1. Introduction

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has caused a large number of outbreaks in poultry in Asia, Europe, and Africa [1]. Chickens are susceptible to HPAI (H5N1), with high morbidity and a case fatality rate as high as 100% [2]. Wild birds including shorebirds and gulls and domestic ducks are considered to be the natural reservoir of the virus. These animals may carry and shed HPAI viruses without showing any signs of illness [3,4,5]. Thus they become silent carriers, sustaining and perpetuating H5N1, and transmitting the virus to other susceptible hosts [3,6].
A total of 68 countries reported HPAI outbreaks to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) between January 2003 and January 2018 [7]. Globally, more than 15,000 outbreaks were reported in domestic birds from January 2005 to January 2018 [7]. In 2003, HPAI (H5N1) reemerged in both poultry and humans in Southeast Asian countries [8,9]. Domestic poultry from East and Southeast Asian countries have been infected most frequently, and H5N1 became endemic in domestic poultry in these countries. Thus, it has caused severe economic losses. As of December 2006, more than 240 million poultry including chicken, ducks, turkeys, and geese died or had been culled to prevent the spread of H5N1 [10].
Since 2003, 17 countries have reported a total of 861 human cases ofH5N1 to the World Health Organization (WHO), with most cases arising in Asian countries. The global case fatality rate among all these cases was >50% [9]. Epidemiological studies have found that most human cases of H5N1 infection involved the subject having a history of poultry exposure such as slaughtering and/or consuming sick poultry and handling infected live and dead poultry [11,12,13,14].
In South Asia, people live very close to their domestic poultry and have limited knowledge about the risk of avian influenza. Among the eight South Asian countries, six countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan) reported HPAI (H5N1) outbreaks in poultry since 2006, and two countries (Bangladesh and Pakistan) reported human cases of H5N1 infection since 2007. The Maldives and Sri Lanka did not report any HPAI outbreaks in poultry or in humans [1,9]. Although there have been few human cases in South Asian countries, consistent circulation of H5N1 in poultry and seasonal influenza viruses in humans can promote genetic reassortment and evolution of novel virus strains with the potential for public health importance [15]. Substantial knowledge about the spatial and temporal distribution of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in South Asian countries is essential to develop a strategic plan for preventing and controlling future outbreaks of HPAI. In this study, we described the spatial and temporal distribution of HPAI outbreaks in South Asia from January 2006 to June 2019. The findings of this study will help to identify times, places, and hosts most associated with a high risk of H5N1 infection in South Asia.

2. Methods

2.1. Sources of HPAI Outbreak Data

We extracted data for all reported HPAI outbreaks in poultry between January 2006 and June 2019 from the OIE website. We considered the starting date of each outbreak as the onset month of the outbreak [7]. We organized the extracted data by year and month to estimate the average peak month for HPAI infections in the South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka). Data about human cases of H5N1 were obtained from the WHO website [9].

2.2. Epidemiological and Microbiological Data

We collected data on the epidemiology of H5N1 and on the phylogenetics of virus isolates from published articles. Data from different South Asian countries were compared to determine the similarities and dissimilarities. We performed an internet-based systematic search in Google Scholar and PubMed to collect data from published articles using the following keywords—“avian influenza”, “HPAI”, “H5N1”, “avian influenza in Afghanistan”, “avian influenza in Bangladesh”, “avian influenza in India”, “avian influenza in Pakistan”, “avian influenza in Bhutan”, “avian influenza in Nepal”, “avian influenza in Sri Lanka”, “avian influenza in Maldives”, “risk factors for avian influenza”, “avian influenza in poultry”, “avian influenza in humans”, and “H5N1 clades”.

2.3. Time Periods

In this study, we used H5N1 outbreak data between January 2006 and June 2019. We also collected molecular data on avian influenza viruses from published articles and abstracts. All articles and abstracts reviewed were published between 1st January 2006 and June 2019. We identified a total of 50 articles and abstracts for our analysis that were relevant to our research interest.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

We performed descriptive analyses to show the total numbers of outbreaks, geographic distributions, affected host species, husbandry practices of affected birds, and peak month of H5N1 outbreak detection. For each country, we determined the average month during which the highest number of H5N1 outbreaks were reported to the OIE. We estimated the relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to identify the association between H5N1 outbreak occurrence and exposure variables using Poisson regression.

2.5. Mapping the H5N1 Outbreak in Poultry and in Humans

We used latitude and longitude data of reported H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and in humans in the countries of interest using Google Earth software. The latitude and longitude data for each reported H5N1 outbreak were collected from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

2.6. Phylogenetic Analysis

A total of 46 H5N1 virus isolates were selected from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan India, and Nepal for phylogenetic analysis. Nucleotide sequences of the HA (haemagglutinin) gene of these selected H5N1 isolates were downloaded from GenBank. The HA gene sequences of the selected isolates were subjected to ClustalW multiple sequence alignment using the BioEdit 7.2 program [16]. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the Kimura 2-parameter model and neighbor-joining methods (with 1000 bootstrap replications) using MEGA 7 [17].

3. Results

3.1. Descriptive Epidemiology of H5N1 Outbreaks in Poultry and Birds

Out of the eight South Asian countries, six countries reported HPAI in poultry and wild birds during the time period of interest. To date, Maldives and Sri Lanka have not reported any H5N1 outbreaks. Between January 2006 and June 2019, a total of 1063 H5N1 outbreaks were reported to OIE by South Asian countries (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Bangladesh reported the highest number (n = 561) of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birds from January 2006 to June 2019. Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan first reported H5N1 outbreaks in 2006. Bangladesh reported its first outbreak in 2007, followed by Nepal in 2009, and Bhutan in 2010 (Table 1). Among all the reported H5N1 outbreaks, 97% were reported in domestic poultry. Commercial poultry were three times more likely to be infected with H5N1 than backyard poultry (RR 3.47, 95% CI: 2.99–4.01) (Table 2).

3.2. Temporal Patterns of H5N1 Outbreaks in Poultry and Birds

In South Asia, most H5N1 outbreaks (741/1063, 70%) were reported during the winter season (November to March). H5N1 outbreaks were reported most frequently in March (Figure 3). Figure 4 provides country-wise distributions of reported H5N1 outbreaks by month. The highest numbers of H5N1 outbreaks were reported in 2008 and the smallest numbers of H5N1 outbreaks were reported in 2014 and 2015 (Table 3 and Figure 5). In this region, India reported the first H5N1 outbreak in poultry on 27 January 2006 and Nepal reported the last H5N1 outbreak on 18 June 2019.

3.3. Distribution of H5N1 Clades in Poultry and Birds

Between January 2003 and December 2018, multiple clades of the H5N1 virus were identified in poultry across South Asia (Table 4 and Figure 6). Clade diversification was mostly observed in Bangladesh and India. The most commonly identified clade was 2.2. So far, two different clades have been reported in Afghanistan, eight clades in Bangladesh, five clades in Bhutan, eight clades in India, three clades in Nepal, and two clades in Pakistan. The most recently detected clade ofH5N1 virus in this region was 2.3.2.1a. In South Asia, clade 2.2 was introduced first in poultry which has been replaced by other clades over the period. In 2010, a new clade 2.3.2.1 appeared in Nepal as the first South Asian country, which later identified in Bangladesh, India, and Bhutan causing a massive outbreak in poultry.

3.4. Other Reported Subtypes of Avian Influenza in Poultry and Birds

In South Asia, many other subtypes of HPAI and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses were also detected during the time period of interest. A total of 31 subtypes were identified in the published literature (Table 5). The most prevalent subtype of HPAI viruses was H5N1. The LPAI H9N2 subtype was also common. Very recently, Bangladesh reported the H5N6 subtype in domestic waterfowl. The most diversity of avian influenza viruses in poultry was observed in Bangladesh.

3.5. Human Cases

In South Asia, only 12 total cases of human H5N1 infections had been reported to the WHO as of 24 June 2019 (Table 6). Only Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal have reported human cases of the virus. Bangladesh reported the highest number of human cases (n = 8) during the period of interest. Pakistan reported the first human case in the region in 2007. Among these 12 human cases, three were fatal. Clade 2.2 viruses caused infection in humans in Bangladesh and Pakistan during 2007 to 2008. In 2011, clade 2.2.2 was detected in humans in Bangladesh. In 2012, clade 2.3.2.1 was isolated from three human cases in Bangladesh. During 2015 to 2019, a new clade 2.3.2.1a viruses were detected in humans in Bangladesh and Nepal [43].

4. Discussion

This study provides an update on the state of avian influenza in South Asia. H5N1 outbreaks in this region repeatedly occurred in poultry between January 2006 and June 2019. However, human cases of H5N1 infection were sporadic in nature. According to the OIE, a total of 7122 HPAI outbreaks were reported in domestic birds across 68 countries from January 2013 to August 2018. Asia, Africa and Europe were the regions most affected by these outbreaks [7]. Between January 2006 and June 2019, South Asian countries reported more than one thousand H5N1 outbreaks to OIE. South Asia detected the first H5N1 outbreak in poultry in 2006, with the highest number of outbreaks in the region reported in 2008. Though few H5N1 outbreaks were reported after 2014, circulation of H5N1 viruses continues. Findings from surveillance and other studies suggest that both HPAI and LPAI viruses continue to circulate among birds in South Asian countries [20,21,27,30,33,35,37,42,43].
In this analysis, we found that HPAI (H5N1) outbreaks in the region occurred most frequently in the winter season (January to March), with the largest number of outbreaks occurring specifically in March. This finding is similar to the results from Southeast Asian countries where H5N1 outbreaks were frequently detected during winter in poultry [44]. HPAI (H5N1) outbreaks globally showed a clear seasonal pattern in poultry, humans and wild birds; most human cases (50%) were reported during January to March [15]. This seasonality could be due to the lower ambient temperature (average minimum temperature 13.9 °C). Lower temperatures are suitable for the survival of avian influenza viruses. Avian influenza viruses persist in cold water for a long time and this may be associated with a higher chance of transmission [45]. One study suggested that lower ambient temperatures may cause decreased immunity in poultry and thus make the birds more susceptible to infection with the H5N1 virus [15]. The circulation of avian influenza viruses is also related to the migration of wild birds, particularly during the winter season, as reported by some global studies [18,46,47].
This analysis noted that the high incidence of H5N1 outbreak in commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. India, Afghanistan and Bhutan reported more outbreaks in backyard poultry flock. This geographical diversity for H5N1 outbreaks within South Asia could be due to the variation in farm biosecurity system, proximity to the migratory bird flyway, wild bird-domestic poultry interaction, animal health infrastructure and strength of outbreak reporting system.
Avian influenza viruses continue to evolve and infect a wide range of poultry species and humans. In South Asia, multiple clades of the H5N1 virus were detected in poultry from 2006 to 2019. The most commonly detected clade in this region was 2.2. Clade 2.3.2.1a was also common and was identified in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan [18,19,20]. Clade 2.3.2.1a was detected in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan which shared common ancestry [23]. India identified clade 2.2 during outbreaks in 2006–2007, clade 2.2.2.1 in 2008–2010, clade 2.3.2.1a in 2011-2015 and clade 2.3.2.1c during in 2014–2015 [21,22,23]. Bangladesh identified clade 2.2 during outbreaks in 2007–2010, clade 2.3.4 in 2011, clade 2.3.2 in 2011, clade 2.3.2.1 in 2011 and clade 2.3.2.1a in 2014 [18,24]. The co-detection of genetically related avian influenza viruses in human and poultry during the same period suggested that viruses were transmitted from poultry to human in Bangladesh Pakistan and Nepal.
Multiple subtypes of avian influenza viruses were identified in South Asian countries between January 2006 and June 2019, including: H5N1, H5N6, H5N2, H5N3, H9N2, H1N1, H1N2, H1N3, H1N4, H2N3, H2N4, H3N1, H3N2, H3N5, H3N6, H3N8, H4N1, H4N2, H4N6, H5N8, H6N1, H6N2, H7N3, H6N7, H7N9, H10N7, H11N1, H11N2, H11N6, H11N9 and H11N3 [23,29,34,35,36,38,39,40,41,42,43]. Avian influenza strain diversity may increase the probability of genetic reassortment between influenza subtypes which may facilitate the evolution of a future novel pathogenic strain of animal and public health importance. Similar viral diversity was also observed in other Asian countries [48,49].
Human cases of H5N1 were few despite high numbers of avian influenza outbreaks among birds in South Asia. This finding was unusual compared to other avian influenza affected countries like China, Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, which reported a large number of human cases to the WHO during the period of interest [9]. The mortality rate for human H5N1 infections in South Asia (25%) was lower than that observed globally (>50%) [9]. The majority of human cases in the region had a history of poultry exposure [50,51]. Though human cases of HPAI were rare, continuous circulation of the H5N1 virus in the poultry population continues to provide potential opportunities for transmission to humans.

5. Conclusions

This analysis provides an overall update on HPAI (H5N1) outbreaks in South Asia. The emergence of diverse genetic clades of H5N1 viruses in poultry in South Asia indicates the continuing evolution of HPAI viruses with the potential to become of public health interest. Despite the low number of reported human cases, people in this region are highly vulnerable to HPAI viruses due to their close and frequent interaction with poultry. Continuous monitoring is necessary to identify both existing and novel avian influenza viral strains circulating in poultry, wildlife and humans using a One Health approach. Individual country experiences on poultry production system, farm biosecurity, and outbreak reporting system may be useful to develop and design avian influenza control strategies. Strong regional collaboration and cooperation is essential for pandemic influenza preparedness planning and response in South Asia.

Author Contributions

S.C. developed the concept, framed the article, analyzed data, and led the writing. M.E.H., P.K.G., S.G., M.B.H., C.B., M.R., and M.Z.R. contributed to drafting and reviewing the manuscript. All authors reviewed, edited and approved the manuscript for publication.

Funding

This research work did not require any external funding.

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to the animal and public health departments of South Asian countries for submitting the H5N1 outbreak reports to OIE and WHO that were used in this analysis. (ICDDR,B) also gratefully acknowledges the following donors who provide unrestricted support: Governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sweden, and the UK.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. OIE. Update On Avian Influenza in Animals (Types H5 and H7). Available online: https://www.oie.int/animal-health-in-the-world/update-on-avian-influenza/ (accessed on 15 September 2019).
  2. Alexander, D.J. An overview of the epidemiology of avian influenza. Vaccine 2007, 25, 5637–5644. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Hulse-Post, D.J.; Sturm-Ramirez, K.M.; Humberd, J.; Seiler, P.; Govorkova, E.A.; Krauss, S.; Scholtissek, C.; Puthavathana, P.; Buranathai, C.; Nguyen, T.D. Role of domestic ducks in the propagation and biological evolution of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses in Asia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2005, 102, 10682–10687. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Ellis, T.M.; Barry Bousfield, R.; Bissett, L.A.; Dyrting, K.C.; Luk, G.S.M.; Tsim, S.T.; Sturm-Ramirez, K.; Webster, R.G.; Guan, Y.; Peiris, J.S.M. Investigation of outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in waterfowl and wild birds in Hong Kong in late 2002. Avian Pathol. 2004, 33, 492–505. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Sturm-Ramirez, K.M.; Hulse-Post, D.J.; Govorkova, E.A.; Humberd, J.; Seiler, P.; Puthavathana, P.; Buranathai, C.; Nguyen, T.D.; Chaisingh, A.; Long, H.T. Are ducks contributing to the endemicity of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in Asia? J. Virol. 2005, 79, 11269–11279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Kim, J.K.; Negovetich, N.J.; Forrest, H.L.; Webster, R.G. Ducks: The “Trojan horses” of H5N1 influenza. Influenza Respir. Viruses 2009, 3, 121–128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  7. OIE. OIE Situation Report for Avian Influenza. Available online: https://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Animal_Health_in_the_World/docs/pdf/OIE_AI_situation_report/OIE_SituationReport_AI_August2018.pdf (accessed on 20 June 2019).
  8. De Jong, M.D.; Hien, T.T. Avian influenza A (H5N1). J. Clin. Virol. 2006, 35, 2–13. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. WHO. Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Reported to WHO. Available online: https://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/2019_09_27_tableH5N1.pdf?ua=1.%202019 (accessed on 10 October 2019).
  10. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. A Global Strategy for the Progressive Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). 2005. Available online: http://www.fao.org/avianflu/documents/HPAIGlobalStrategy31Oct05.pdf (accessed on 10 June 2019).
  11. Beigel, J.H.; Farrar, J.; Han, A.M.; Hayden, F.G.; Hyer, R.; De Jong, M.D.; Lochindarat, S.; Nguyen, T.K.; Nguyen, T.H.; Tran, T.H. Avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in humans. N. Eng. J. Med. 2005, 353, 1374. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Dinh, P.N.; Long, H.T.; Tien, N.T.K.; Hien, N.T.; Mai, L.T.Q.; Phong, L.H.; Van Tuan, L.; Van Tan, H.; Nguyen, N.B.; Van Tu, P. Risk factors for human infection with avian influenza A H5N1, Vietnam, 2004. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2006, 12, 1841. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Mounts, A.W.; Kwong, H.; Izurieta, H.S.; Ho, Y.-Y.; Au, T.-K.; Lee, M.; Bridges, C.B.; Williams, S.W.; Mak, K.H.; Katz, J.M. Case-control study of risk factors for avian influenza A (H5N1) disease, Hong Kong, 1997. J. Infect. Dis. 1999, 180, 505–508. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Chan, P.K.S. Outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection in Hong Kong in 1997. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2002, 34, S58–S64. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Durand, L.O.; Patrick, G.; Gross, D.; Kasper, M.; Trock, S.C.; Kim, I.K.; Bresee, J.S.; Donis, R.; Uyeki, T.M.; Widdowson, M.-A.; et al. Timing of Influenza A(H5N1) in Poultry and Humans and Seasonal Influenza Activity Worldwide, 2004–2013. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2015, 21, 202–208. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Hall, T.A. In BioEdit: A user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. In Nucleic Acids Symposium Series; Information Retrieval Ltd.: London, UK, 1999; pp. 95–98. [Google Scholar]
  17. Kumar, S.; Stecher, G.; Tamura, K. MEGA7: Molecular evolutionary genetics analysis version 7.0 for bigger datasets. Mol. Biol. Evol. 2016, 33, 1870–1874. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  18. Barman, S.; Turner, J.C.; Hasan, M.K.; Akhtar, S.; El-Shesheny, R.; Franks, J.; Walker, D.; Seiler, P.; Friedman, K.; Kercher, L. Continuing evolution of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses in Bangladeshi live poultry markets. Emerg. Microbes Infect. 2019, 8, 650–661. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  19. Marinova-Petkova, A.; Franks, J.; Tenzin, S.; Dahal, N.; Dukpa, K.; Dorjee, J.; Feeroz, M.M.; Rehg, J.E.; Barman, S.; Krauss, S. Highly pathogenic reassortant avian influenza a (h5n1) virus clade 2.3. 2.1 a in poultry, bhutan. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2016, 22, 2137. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  20. Bhat, S.; Nagarajan, S.; Kumar, M.; Murugkar, H.V.; Kalaiyarasu, S.; Venkatesh, G.; Tosh, C. Antigenic characterization of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in India, 2006–2015. Arch. Virol. 2017, 162, 487–494. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  21. Nagarajan, S.; Tosh, C.; Smith, D.K.; Peiris, J.S.M.; Murugkar, H.V.; Sridevi, R.; Kumar, M.; Katare, M.; Jain, R.; Syed, Z. Avian influenza (H5N1) virus of clade 2.3. 2 in domestic poultry in India. PLoS ONE 2012, 7, e31844. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Tosh, C.; Nagarajan, S.; Kumar, M.; Murugkar, H.V.; Venkatesh, G.; Shukla, S.; Mishra, A.; Mishra, P.; Agarwal, S.; Singh, B. Multiple introductions of a reassortant H5N1 avian influenza virus of clade 2.3. 2.1 c with PB2 gene of H9N2 subtype into Indian poultry. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2016, 43, 173–178. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Tosh, C.; Nagarajan, S.; Murugkar, H.; Jain, R.; Behera, P.; Katare, M.; Kulkarni, D.; Dubey, S. Phylogenetic evidence of multiple introduction of H5N1 virus in Malda district of West Bengal, India in 2008. Vet. Microbiol. 2011, 148, 132–139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Islam, M.; Haque, M.; Giasuddin, M.; Chowdhury, E.; Samad, M.; Parvin, R.; Nooruzzaman, M.; Rahman, M.; Monoura, P. New introduction of clade 2.3. 2.1 avian influenza virus (H5N1) into Bangladesh. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2012, 59, 460–463. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Chakrabarti, A.K.; Pawar, S.D.; Cherian, S.S.; Koratkar, S.S.; Jadhav, S.M.; Pal, B.; Raut, S.; Thite, V.; Kode, S.S.; Keng, S.S. Characterization of the influenza A H5N1 viruses of the 2008-09 outbreaks in India reveals a third introduction and possible endemicity. PLoS ONE 2009, 4, e7846. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Siddique, N.; Naeem, K.; Abbas, M.A.; Ahmed, Z.; Malik, S.A. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated during 2006–2008 outbreaks in Pakistan reveals genetic diversity. Virol. J. 2012, 9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  27. Khan, S.U.; Gurley, E.S.; Gerloff, N.; Rahman, M.Z.; Simpson, N.; Rahman, M.; Haider, N.; Chowdhury, S.; Balish, A.; Zaman, R.U. Avian influenza surveillance in domestic waterfowl and environment of live bird markets in Bangladesh, 2007–2012. Sci. Rep. 2018, 8, 9396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Dubey, S.; Dahal, N.; Nagarajan, S.; Tosh, C.; Murugkar, H.; Rinzin, K.; Sharma, B.; Jain, R.; Katare, M.; Patil, S. Isolation and characterization of influenza A virus (subtype H5N1) that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in chicken in Bhutan. Vet. Microbiol. 2012, 155, 100–105. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  29. FAO. Approaches to Controlling, Preventing and Eliminating H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Endemic Countries; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2011; Available online: http://www.fao.org/3/i2150e/i2150e.pdf (accessed on 12 May 2019).
  30. Murugkar, H.; Nagarajan, S.; Tosh, C.; Bhatia, S.; Venkatesh, G.; Jain, R.; Kumar, S.; Khandia, R.; Pandey, M.; Behera, P. H5N1 virus outbreaks in poultry in India. Vet. Rec. 2008, 162, 255. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  31. Ray, K.; Potdar, V.A.; Cherian, S.S.; Pawar, S.D.; Jadhav, S.M.; Waregaonkar, S.R.; Joshi, A.A.; Mishra, A.C. Characterization of the complete genome of influenza A (H5N1) virus isolated during the 2006 outbreak in poultry in India. Virus Genes 2008, 36, 345–353. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Choi, J.-G.; Kang, H.-M.; Jeon, W.-J.; Choi, K.-S.; Kim, K.-I.; Song, B.; Lee, H.-S.; Kim, J.-H.; Lee, Y.-J. Characterization of clade 2.3.2.1 H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from wild birds (mandarin duck and Eurasian eagle owl) in 2010 in Korea. Viruses 2013, 5, 1153–1174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Wasilenko, J.L.; Pantin-Jackwood, M.; Khan, T.A.; Ahmed, A.; Rehmani, S.F.; Lone, N.A.; Swayne, D.E.; Spackman, E. Characterization of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in Pakistan 2006–2008. Virus Genes 2012, 44, 247–252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Pawar, S.D.; Kale, S.D.; Rawankar, A.S.; Koratkar, S.S.; Raut, C.G.; Pande, S.A.; Mullick, J.; Mishra, A.C. Avian influenza surveillance reveals presence of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in poultry during 2009–2011 in the West Bengal State, India. Virol. J. 2012, 9, 151. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Yang, G.; Chowdury, S.; Hodges, E.; Rahman, M.Z.; Jang, Y.; Hossain, M.E.; Jones, J.; Stark, T.J.; Di, H.; Cook, P.W. Detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N6) viruses in waterfowl in Bangladesh. Virology 2019, 534, 36–44. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Dhingra, M.S.; Dissanayake, R.; Negi, A.B.; Oberoi, M.; Castellan, D.; Thrusfield, M.; Linard, C.; Gilbert, M. Spatio-temporal epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N1) in poultry in eastern India. Spat. Spatio-Temporal Epidemiol. 2014, 11, 45–57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Pattnaik, B.; Pateriya, A.; Khandia, R.; Tosh, C.; Nagarajan, S.; Gounalan, S.; Murugkar, H.; Shankar, B.; Shrivastava, N.; Behera, P. Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic similarity of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from HPAI outbreaks in chickens in Maharashtra, India with those isolated from swan in Italy and Iran in 2006. Curr. Sci. 2006, 91, 77–81. [Google Scholar]
  38. Tosh, C.; Murugkar, H.; Nagarajan, S.; Bhatia, S.; Pateriya, A.; Behera, P.; Jain, R.; Kumar, S.; Khandia, R.; Vanamayya, P. Outbreak of avian influenza virus H5N1 in India. Vet. Rec. 2007, 161, 279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  39. Nagarajan, S.; Kumar, M.; Murugkar, H.V.; Tripathi, S.; Shukla, S.; Agarwal, S.; Dubey, G.; Nagi, R.S.; Singh, V.P.; Tosh, C. Novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) virus in zoos, India. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2017, 23, 717. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Biswas, P.K.; Christensen, J.P.; Ahmed, S.S.; Barua, H.; Das, A.; Rahman, M.H.; Giasuddin, M.; Hannan, A.S.; Habib, M.A.; Ahad, A. Avian influenza outbreaks in chickens, Bangladesh. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2008, 14, 1909. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  41. Negovetich, N.J.; Feeroz, M.M.; Jones-Engel, L.; Walker, D.; Alam, S.; Hasan, K.; Seiler, P.; Ferguson, A.; Friedman, K.; Barman, S. Live bird markets of Bangladesh: H9N2 viruses and the near absence of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza. PLoS ONE 2011, 6, e19311. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  42. Naeem, K.; Siddique, N.; Ayaz, M.; Jalalee, M. Avian influenza in Pakistan: Outbreaks of low-and high-pathogenicity avian influenza in Pakistan during 2003–2006. Avian Dis. 2007, 51, 189–193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Alyas, K.; Wajid, A.; Dundon, W.G.; Ather, S.; Batool, T.; Babar, M.E. Isolation and characterization of avian influenza H9N2 viruses from different avian species in Pakistan 2016–2017. Avian Dis. 2019. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. WHO. Antigenic and Genetic Characteristics of Zoonotic Influenza Viruses and Candidate Vaccine Viruses Developed for Potential Use in Human Vaccines. Available online: https://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/ (accessed on 25 September 2019).
  45. Stallknecht, D.; Shane, S.; Kearney, M.; Zwank, P. Persistence of avian influenza viruses in water. Avian Dis. 1990, 34, 406–411. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Lycett, S.J.; Bodewes, R.; Pohlmann, A.; Banks, J.; Bányai, K.; Boni, M.F.; Bouwstra, R.; Breed, A.C.; Brown, I.H.; Chen, H. Role for migratory wild birds in the global spread of avian influenza H5N8. Science 2016, 354, 213–217. [Google Scholar]
  47. Feare, C.J. Role of wild birds in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 and implications for global surveillance. Avian Dis. 2010, 54, 201–212. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Panigrahy, B.; Senne, D.A.; Pedersen, J.C. Avian influenza virus subtypes inside and outside the live bird markets, 1993–2000: A spatial and temporal relationship. Avian Dis. 2002, 46, 298–307. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Seo, S.H.; Kim, H.S. Epidemiology of influenza virus in Korean poultry. Int. Congr. 2004, 1263, 758–761. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Brooks, W.A.; Alamgir, A.S.M.; Sultana, R.; Islam, M.S.; Rahman, M.; Fry, A.M.; Shu, B.; Lindstrom, S.; Nahar, K.; Goswami, D. Avian influenza virus A (H5N1), detected through routine surveillance, in child, Bangladesh. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2009, 15, 1311–1313. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  51. Lai, S.; Qin, Y.; Cowling, B.J.; Ren, X.; Wardrop, N.A.; Gilbert, M.; Tsang, T.K.; Wu, P.; Feng, L.; Jiang, H. Global epidemiology of avian influenza A H5N1 virus infection in humans, 1997–2015: A systematic review of individual case data. Lancet Infect. Dis. 2016, 16, e108–e118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g001 550
Figure 1. Reported H5N1 outbreaks in South Asia by country, January 2006 to June 2019.
Figure 1. Reported H5N1 outbreaks in South Asia by country, January 2006 to June 2019.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g001
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g002 550
Figure 2. Spatial distribution of H5N1 outbreaks in South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019.
Figure 2. Spatial distribution of H5N1 outbreaks in South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g002
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g003 550
Figure 3. Distribution of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry in South Asian countries by month, January 2006 to June 2019.
Figure 3. Distribution of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry in South Asian countries by month, January 2006 to June 2019.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g003
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g004a 550Tropicalmed 04 00138 g004b 550
Figure 4. Country and month-wise H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and birds in South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019 (for six countries separately). The numbers given in y-axis correspond to the number of H5N1 outbreaks.
Figure 4. Country and month-wise H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and birds in South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019 (for six countries separately). The numbers given in y-axis correspond to the number of H5N1 outbreaks.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g004aTropicalmed 04 00138 g004b
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g005 550
Figure 5. Distribution ofH5N1 outbreaks in poultry and birds in South Asian countries by year, January 2006 to June 2019.
Figure 5. Distribution ofH5N1 outbreaks in poultry and birds in South Asian countries by year, January 2006 to June 2019.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g005
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g006 550
Figure 6. Phylogenetic tree based on the HA gene of H5N1 viruses in poultry in South Asia.
Figure 6. Phylogenetic tree based on the HA gene of H5N1 viruses in poultry in South Asia.
Tropicalmed 04 00138 g006
Table
Table 1. Summary of reported H5N1 outbreaks among poultry, wild birds, and humans in South Asian countries, January 2006 to June 2019.
Table 1. Summary of reported H5N1 outbreaks among poultry, wild birds, and humans in South Asian countries, January 2006 to June 2019.
CountryH5N1 Outbreaks in Poultry and Wild BirdsTotal Reported Human Cases ofH5N1
Number of OutbreaksDate of Initial OutbreakDate of Last Outbreak
Afghanistan266 March 200623 January 2018No reported cases
Bangladesh5615 February 200715 December 20188
Bhutan2418 February 20106 April 2019No reported cases
India14827 January 200623 March 2019No reported cases
Maldives-No reported outbreak-No reported cases
Nepal2538 January 200918 June 20191
Pakistan5123 February 200617 June 20083
Sri Lanka-No reported outbreak-No reported cases
Table
Table 2. Country-wise characteristics of H5N1 outbreaks by host species, husbandry practices and seasonality.
Table 2. Country-wise characteristics of H5N1 outbreaks by host species, husbandry practices and seasonality.
VariablesAfghanistanBangladeshBhutanIndiaMaldivesNepalPakistanSri LankaTotal (%)* RR (95% CI)
Species
Wild birds26-20-42-34 (3)Ref.
Domestic poultry2455524128-24949-1029 (97)30.26 (21.5–42.6)
Husbandry practices
Backyard farm214520100-404-230 (22)Ref.
Commercial farm3510428-20844-797 (75)3.47 (2.99–4.01)
Wild26-20-53-36 (3)0.15 (0.11–0.22)
Season
Summer (April–June)072212-4415-145 (14)Ref.
Monsoon (July–October)01426-1505-177 (17)1.2 (0.98–1.52)
Winter (November–March)2647520130-5931-741 (70)5.11 (4.28–6.1)
* RR = Relative risk.
Table
Table 3. Year-wise H5N1 outbreaks by country, South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019.
Table 3. Year-wise H5N1 outbreaks by country, South Asia, January 2006 to June 2019.
YearAfghanistanBangladeshBhutanIndiaNepalPakistanTotal
20061300701232
200796801032110
2008022505907291
20090310102043
2010030557047
201101704410179
20120239819059
201302132030209
20140006107
20150016007
20160116008
201718033015
2018332183029
20190011214027
Total2656124148253511063
Table
Table 4. H5N1 viral clades reported in poultry in South Asian countries, January 2003 to December 2018 [18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33].
Table 4. H5N1 viral clades reported in poultry in South Asian countries, January 2003 to December 2018 [18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33].
CountriesClades (Year of Detection)Host Species
Afghanistan2.2 (2006), 2.2.3 (2006)Chicken
Bangladesh2.2 (2007), 2.2.2 (2007), 2.2.3 (2007), 2.3.2 (2009), 2.3.4 (2011), 2.3.2.1 (2011), 2.3.2.1a (2015), 2.3.4.2 (2011)Chicken, duck, geese, turkey, quail
Bhutan2.2 (2010), 2.2.2 (2010), 2.2.3 (2010), 2.3.2.1 (2012) 2.3.2.1a (2012)Chicken
India2.2 (2006), 2.2.2 (2008), 2.2.3 (2008), 2.3.2 (2011), 2.2.2.1 (2008), 2.3.2.1 (2011), 2.3.2.1a (2011), 2.3.2.1c (2014)Chicken, duck, turkey
Maldives--
Nepal2.2 (2010), 2.3.2 (2010), 2.3.2.1 (2010)Chicken, duck
Pakistan2.2 (2006), 2.2.3 (2006)Chicken
Sri Lanka--
Table
Table 5. Distribution of avian influenza viruses subtypes in poultry in South Asia, January 2003 to December 2018 [23,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43].
Table 5. Distribution of avian influenza viruses subtypes in poultry in South Asia, January 2003 to December 2018 [23,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43].
CountriesSubtypesHost Species
AfghanistanH5N1Chicken, turkey
BangladeshH5N1, H5N6, H5N2, H5N3, H9N2, H1N1, H1N2, H1N3, H1N4, H2N3, H2N4, H3N2, H3N5, H3N6, H3N8, H4N1, H4N2, H4N6, H6N1, H6N2, H6N7, H7N9, H10N7, H11N1, H11N2, H11N6, H11N9, H11N3 Chicken, duck, geese, turkey, quail
BhutanH5N1Chicken
IndiaH5N1, H5N8, H9N2, H4N6, H11N1Chicken, duck, turkey
Maldives--
NepalH5N1Chicken, duck
PakistanH5N1, H7N3, H9N2, H3N1Chicken, duck, geese, peacock, pigeon, pheasant, swan
Sri Lanka--
Table
Table 6. Summary of reported human cases of H5N1 virus in South Asia.
Table 6. Summary of reported human cases of H5N1 virus in South Asia.
CountryYear of DetectionTotal CasesTotal Deaths
2007200820112012201320152019
Bangladesh-12311-81
Pakistan3------31
Nepal------111

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Chowdhury, S.; Hossain, M.E.; Ghosh, P.K.; Ghosh, S.; Hossain, M.B.; Beard, C.; Rahman, M.; Rahman, M.Z. The Pattern of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in South Asia. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2019, 4, 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4040138

AMA Style

Chowdhury S, Hossain ME, Ghosh PK, Ghosh S, Hossain MB, Beard C, Rahman M, Rahman MZ. The Pattern of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in South Asia. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2019; 4(4):138. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4040138

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chowdhury, Sukanta, Mohammad Enayet Hossain, Probir Kumar Ghosh, Sumon Ghosh, Muhammad Belal Hossain, Cindy Beard, Mahmudur Rahman, and Mohammed Ziaur Rahman. 2019. "The Pattern of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in South Asia" Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 4, no. 4: 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4040138

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop