Songbirds and Parakeets: Possible Sources of Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Transmission

Influenza A (H7N9) viruses from humans can replicate in songbirds and parakeets, be shed into the environment, and infect other birds.

Avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus continues to cause sporadic human infections in China; older men have experienced disproportionate rates of illness and death. To assess whether wild and domesticated small birds can be infected with and transmit this pathogen, researchers inoculated finches, sparrows, and parakeets with fluid containing H7N9 virus originating from a patient in China. A sample of birds tested preinoculation were influenza antibody negative.

All inoculated birds shed virus via the oropharynx. Most showed no clinical signs of disease, although two died; all surviving birds cleared the virus by day 8 postinoculation. Virus was detected on multiple days in the communal water trough shared by the birds. Among inoculated birds…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Songbirds and Parakeets: Possible Sources of Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Transmission

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Reviewing Author