News

During August 2017 the employees of the Reference Laboratory for Avian Viral Diseases of the Rosselkhoznadzor subordinate FGBI “Federal Centre for Animal Health” conducted 7,909 virological, molecular genetic and serological tests within the framework of the federal epizootic monitoring upon the requests of the Veterinary Services of the RF subjects and poultry farms.

Samples were received from Moscow, Kaluga, Vladimir, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Nizhniy Novgorod, Kirov, Astrakhan, Volgograd, Amur Oblasts, Perm, Stavropol, Primorsky, Zabaykalsky Krais, the Republics of Mari El, Chuvashia, Tatarstan, Adygea, Chechnya, Crimea and also the Republic of Kazakhstan.

1,865 tests were conducted using PCR and nucleotide sequencing to detect the genetic material of the agents of 22 avian infections. The control of commercial flocks for disease freedom and the possible adjustment of immunological prophylaxis schemes including optimal vaccine strain selection require tests for detection and identification of economically significant avian infections such as infectious bronchitis, infectious bursal disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, metapneumovirus infection, Marek’s disease and others.

A/H5N8 avian influenza virus belonging to the broad Asian genetic group (clade 2.3.4.4) that caused disease outbreaks in several RF subjects and near- and far-abroad countries in 2016-2017 was detected in pathologic material taken from a dead chicken kept in a backyard farm in s. Kurovskoe, Orekhovo-Zuevsky Raion, Moscow Oblast based on the test results. The determined structure of the haemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site -KRRKR- containing the basic amino acids arginine (R) and lysine (K) allows the researches to conclude that the virus possesses distinct virulent properties for poultry, especially for chickens.

No other cases of highly pathogenic influenza in poultry and wild bird populations have been reported during the month.

6,044 avian biomaterial samples were tested by virus isolation in SPF chicken embryos, ELISA and HI. No anti-AIV antibodies were detected in sera from chickens and waterfowl of commercial poultry units. The antibody levels determined in the sera from Newcastle disease vaccinated birds testified to appropriate poultry population protection; some cases identified the need for revaccination. No cases of virulent virus circulation were detected in commercial flocks based on the results of serological tests.

Serum samples were tested with the test kits developed and produced by the FGBI “ARRIAH”: “One dilution ELISA test kit for the detection of antibodies against avian influenza virus in sera”, “One dilution ELISA test kit for the detection of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus in sera” designed for testing biological materials from chickens and “HI test kit for the detection of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus”, “HI test kit for the detection of antibodies against H5 avian influenza virus” designed for a wide range of poultry and wild birds. The said kits have been used by veterinary laboratories of the Russian Federation and near-abroad countries for more than 10 years and have proven to be reliable and effective diagnostica. Since 2016 the testing methods using these test kits have been included in the accreditation scope of the LDC of the FGBI “ARRIAH” (Certificate of Accreditation RA.RU.21AO46 of December 13, 2016).

FGBI “ARRIAH” Press Office