Investigation on Influenza Virus A Infection in Different Animals in Sudan

Abstract

Influenza A virus infections were reported in poultry and equines in Sudan. To investigate the seroprevalence of this viral infection in poultry, equines, camels and other farm animals; sera were screened for antibodies to influenza A virus using ELISA. A total of 916 blood samples were randomly collected from cattle (n=184), camel (n=184), goat (n=92), sheep (n=92), poultry (n=92), donkey (n=78), and horses (n=194). Samples were collected from Khartoum, Gezira, River Nile, Butana, Kordofan and Darfur. Antibodies to influenza A virus were detected in 100% (92/92) of tested poultry sera 37.6 % of horses and 42.3 % of the donkey�s sera. For equine sera, the overall prevalence rate of influenza A virus antibodies was 39% (106/272). The highest overall seroprevalence (73.2%) was observed in Atbara followed by Gazira (41.4%). None of screened cattle, sheep, goats and camel sera were found positive for influenza A virus antibodies. It was concluded that influenza A infection is existing in poultry, donkey and horses