The contribution of individual characteristics of <i>Anas</i> and <i>Aythya</i> individuals to their susceptibility to low‐pathogenic avian influenza viruses in the south of Western Siberia

Abstract

   Aim. Analysis of the influence of species, sex, and age of genus Anas and Aythya individuals on their sensitivity to low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) in the south of Western Siberia.   Material and Methods. Infestation of ducks with the influenza virus was determined by cloacal swabs obtained from 5014 individuals of ducks belonging to the genus Anas and Aythya during the autumn migration period in the south of Western Siberia. Isolation of influenza A virus isolates was carried out according to standard WHO methods. The distribution of infected individuals was estimated with ꭓ2. Relative risk (RR) was used to estimate the risk of infection for each individual species.   Results. Among the examined ducks, the distribution between species differed between infected and uninfected individuals. The common teal was under greater risk of being infected with the avian influenza virus. In this species, the sex of the individual influenced the probability of infestation both in young individuals and the whole age spectrum.   Conclusions. Individual characteristics of wild dabbling and diving ducks (species, sex, age) affect their infestation with low‐pathogenic avian influenza virus during the autumn migration period in the south of Western Siberia.