Community Based Surveillance of Influenza A Virus among Life Bird Handlers from Selected Bird Markets and Poultry Farms in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Influenza is an acute respiratory disease that has caused pandemic in birds and humans. Therefore, this study was designed to isolate and identify influenza A virus strains from live bird handlers in life bird markets (LBM) and poultry farms in Ibadan metropolis.

Methods: A total of 43 oropharyneal swabs were collected over a period of four months and tested for influenza A virus. Isolation was done by virus culture in MDCK cells and ten to twelve day old embryonated chicken eggs. Detection of RNA of the virus was carried out using real time PCR. Statistical tools employed were percentages (Multiple Bar Chart) chi square (P=.05 and 1 degree of freedom).

Results: Out of 43 samples collected and tested, 5 (11.6%) were positive for influenza virus in MDCK, 2 (4.7%) in embryonated egg while 16 (37.2%) were positive for influenza A virus by real time PCR. Only 1 (2.3%) was confirmed by the three methods used for detection of influenza A virus in this study.

Conclusion: The occurrence of influenza A virus particles in the samples obtained from live bird handlers confirmed by the methods employed in this study revealed the possibility of cross infection by the virus.