Prevalence and risk factors for avian influenza in backyard pigeons, ducks, and chickens in District Toba Tek Singh Pakistan

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a zoonotic disease that can be transferred from birds to humans. Various pandemics of AIV have drastically affected the poultry industry and backyard birds (ducks, chickens, and pigeons) worldwide, such as in Europe, the USA, Africa, and Asia. In Pakistan, numerous outbreaks of H7, H5, and H9 in poultry industries have been documented in commercial and rural areas, resulting in financial losses. The epidemiological status of different AIV subtypes in backyard birds in rural areas is largely unknown. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018-2019 with multistage clustering sampling. These tracheal and cloacal pooled swab samples were collected and tested for AIV. Positive AIV pooled swab samples were further evaluated at the individual level. RNA was extracted using the Trizol method followed by multiplex RT-PCR with primers and probes to identify the M-gene and subtypes of the AI virus. Statistical analysis was performed by using the multivariate logistic regression model. Overall, the prevalence of AIV in backyard chickens, pigeons, and ducks was 13.0%, 7.7%, and 11.3%, respectively. Among AIV subtypes, H7, H9, and HA/Untyped commonly circulated within backyard birds. All cities had nonsignificant differences (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of AIV among pigeons, ducks, and chickens. According to univariate logistic regression analysis, 16 of the 32 risk factors were further selected for the multivariate logistic regression model. Two potential factors were identified to be significantly associated (p < or =0.05). Among the variables, species (pigeon OR 9.2, 95% CI: 1.92-44.2; p=0.006) and chicken (OR 16.2, 95% CI: 2.89-91.5; p=0.006) strongly associated with the incidence of AIV among cities. Another variable, fighting cock, had a moderate association (OR 2.25, 95% CI: 0.99-5.09; p=0.051) with AIV prevalence. Enhancing surveillance, biosecurity, educational intervention, and farm practices to prevent AIV and improve poultry production and public health in Pakistan.