Persistence of Low-Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N7 and H7N1 Subtypes in House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

Avian influenza caused by avian influenza virus (AIV) has a negative impact on poultry production. Low-pathogenic AIV (LPAIV) is naturally present in wild birds, and the introduction of the virus into domestic poultry is assumed to occur through contact with wild birds and by human activity, including the movement of live and dead poultry, and fomites such as clothing and vehicles. At present, the possible role of insects in the spread of AIV is dubious. The objective of the present work was to investigate the potential transmission of LPAIV by persistence of the virus in the alimentary tract of house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Flies were fed three virus concentrations of two AIV strains and then incubated at different temperatures for up to 24 h. The persistence of the two virus strains in the flies declined with increasing incubation temperatures and incubation periods. Similarly, increased virus uptake by the flies increased the persistence of virus. Persistence of infective AIV in flies differed significantly between the two virus strains. The laboratory experiments of the present study indicate that the house fly can be a potential carrier of AIV.

Transmission of Equine Influenza Virus during an Outbreak Is Characterized by Frequent Mixed Infections and Loose Transmission Bottlenecks

“…Moreover, intermediate hosts and fomites are likely to play a role in influenza inter-yard transmission. There is mounting evidence on EIV transmission over long distances, including wind-borne aerosol spread over 1–2 km in a recent outbreak in Australia [41]; and, the possibility of mechanical transmission by flies [42], [43]. Our results also suggest that implementing control measures within training yards would be of limited value considering the level of inter-yard transmission and the need to maintain training regimes for thoroughbreds.…”

Risk profile related to production and consumption of insects as food and feed

“…Sawabe et al (2006) suggested that blowflies carrying highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 were responsible for the outbreak of avian influenza in Japan in 2004. Nielsen et al (2011) reported that low pathogenic avian influenza H5N7 and H7N1 remained viable in the digestive tract of houseflies. There is a single reported case of passive transfer of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5N1) by the housefly M. domestica.…”

Genetics and realized heritability of resistance to imidacloprid in a poultry population of house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) from Pakistan

“…M. domestica may cause food contamination by many infectious pathogens which may cause diseases, i.e., bacillary dysentery, cholera, salmonellosis, avian influenza and shigellosis [6][7][8][9]. Carbamate, organophosphate, pyrethroid and other insecticide classes have been used for the control of M. domestica worldwide [10][11][12] including Pakistan [13].…”