Surveillance of Live Poultry Markets for Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Guangxi Province, Southern China, from 2012-2015

Infections with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) can be mild or asymptomatic in poultry; however, in humans, LPAIVs can cause severe infections and death, as demonstrated by the H7N9 and H10N8 human infection outbreaks in 2013 in China. In this study, we conducted an epidemiological survey of LPAIVs at live poultry markets (LPMs) in Guangxi Province, Southern China, which is near several Southeast Asian countries. From January 2012 to December 2015, we collected 3,813 swab samples from poultry at LPMs in Guangxi. Viral isolation, hemagglutination inhibition assay and viral sequencing were utilized to identify LPAIVs in the collected samples. Among the samples, 622 (16.3%) were positive for LPAIVs. Six subtypes (H1, H3, H4, H6, H9 and H11) were individually isolated and identified. Of these subtypes, H3, H6 and H9 were predominant in ducks, geese and chickens, respectively. Among the 622 positive samples, 160 (25.7%) contained more than one subtype, and H8, H10, H12, H13, and H16 were identified among them, which highlights the continuous need for enhanced surveillance of AIVs. These results provide detailed information regarding the epidemic situation of LPAIVs in the area, which can aid efforts to prevent and control AIV transmission in humans and animals.