Identification of the risk factors associated with the exposure and spread of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in live birds sold in the Central and San Miguelito markets of San Salvador, El Salvador

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the exposure and spread of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in live birds sold in the Central and San Miguelito markets of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, El Salvador. Was carried out from March 2020 to November 2021, through epidemiological surveys directed at merchants of 16 sales positions in which information related to the origin and handling given to birds during their commercialization was obtained, it will be expanded that only the Central Market commercializes wild birds and exotic which are from the departments of Sonsonate, San Salvador and La Libertad; that are marketed together with backyard birds, while the San Miguelito market is limited only to the sale of Creole birds. To determine the viral circulation of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, 417 samples of tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected from the different avian species (wild and backyard birds), by means of Viral Isolation and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests. 100% of the samples were negative for both diseases, evidencing the absence of these viruses in live birds that were marketed at the time of the study. The results also show that the conditions found of stress, overcrowding, lack of cleanliness, mixture of different animal species, ages, and geographical origin favor the entry, establishment and probable spread of diseases within the markets. Therefore, it is a priority to maintain epidemiological surveillance in markets that sell live birds at the national level.