Summary
This cross-sectional survey of live bird retail stalls in Lahore, Pakistan (December 2009–February 2010) detected avian influenza H9 in 28 of 280 pooled oropharyngeal samples from 1,400 birds. Three independent risk factors were identified: sourcing birds from mixed origins (OR 2.28), keeping birds outside cages (OR 3.10), and rearing non-broiler chicken breeds (OR 6.27). The findings suggest that standardisation of sourcing practices, cage housing, and breed uniformity could mitigate H9 transmission in retail settings.
UK applicability
The UK poultry retail system differs substantially from informal live bird markets in Pakistan, with stricter biosecurity regulations and centralised supply chains. However, the study's identification of sourcing diversity and housing conditions as transmission drivers may inform biosecurity guidance for any retail poultry settings, including niche markets or hobby holdings.
Key measures
Prevalence of matrix (M) gene and H9, H5, H7 subtypes by qRT-PCR; prevalence odds ratios (OR) for risk factors including bird sourcing practices, housing conditions, and breed type
Outcomes reported
The study identified prevalence of avian influenza type A and H9 subtype infection in live bird retail stalls, and determined associated risk factors through survey-weighted logistic regression analysis.
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