Photograph: Arndt Asperger

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology and Erasmus MC will embark on a new line of research into the spread of avian influenza viruses by migratory birds and the impact of these viruses on their behaviour. This research is expected to provide valuable insight into the role of migratory birds in the spread of avian influenza viruses. 

A total of 16 wild Bewick’s Swans will be infected with an avian influenza virus. This will be a harmless (“low-pathogenic”) avian influenza virus that was isolated from a wild bird in The Netherlands and has been found to cause no problems in birds in the wild and in poultry during laboratory tests. The subtype used (H4N6) is one of the most common worldwide and has never been found in a dangerous (“highly pathogenic”) form. These inoculated swans and 32 non-infected swans will carry a GPS logger that will record their movements and migrations.

In the laboratory wild birds and poultry show no signs of illness from the specific avian influenza virus that will be administered. This may differ under natural conditions where maintenance and migration may be more energetically challenging. Under these circumstances, infection might result in slight discomfort, such as a temporarily reduced appetite (Van Gils et al., PLoS One 2:e184, 2007). We know from previous experience that it takes the swans a couple of days to get fully accustomed to the GPS logger.

Throughout this winter and the following winter (2009 -2010) all swans will be monitored regularly from a distance, their behaviour observed and data from the GPS loggers downloaded. For this purpose, the researchers are supported by a network of volunteer ornithologists. The GPS loggers will operate for one-and-a-half years.

The researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and Erasmus MC are highly motivated to increase our understanding of avian influenza viruses in wild birds. The presumption that migratory birds are responsible for the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza often leads to extensive and expensive measures, such as the vaccination and sheltering of poultry. This research on low pathogenic avian influenza will serve to quantify the contribution of migratory birds in the spread of avian influenza viruses. The Netherlands is a ‘hot spot’ for migratory birds including large numbers of waterfowl, making it an obvious site for conducting this research.

For further information please consult: