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Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2104.141415
Global Avian Influenza Surveillance in Wild
Birds: A Strategy to Capture Viral Diversity
Technical Appendix
Global Avian Influenza Surveillance in Wild Birds
Methods
We analyzed data from 1) a survey of the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) member
countries conducted by OIE, 2) official OIE animal health reports from member countries by
using the World Animal Health Information Database (WAHID) interface (http://oie.int/wahid)
and the WAHID-Wild interface (http://oie.int/wahidwild); 3) reports of avian influenza wild bird
surveillance results published in the peer-reviewed literature by using the Web of Knowledge;
and 4) the Influenza Research Database (http://www.fludb.org).
OIE Member Survey
Influenza caused by H7N5 subtype virus that is affecting humans in China is not causing
clinical disease in birds. Thus, more proactive approaches to surveillance in birds are necessary
to detect viral infection. To determine the scope of current surveillance activities in wild birds, in
April 2013, the OIE asked all 178 member countries to provide information on surveillance
activities for avian influenza (caused by low pathogenic and highly pathogenic influenza viruses)
during the previous 12 months. Results received from 46 of 178 member countries were
reviewed.
OIE WAHID Interface Data
We also reviewed avian influenza reporting from the disease timeline database on the
WAHID interface (www.oie.int/wahid) during 2008–2012 by using data provided by OIE
member countries (data for 2013 were was not available at the time of analysis). Reporting of
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avian influenza virus subtypes H5, H7, and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus identified in
wild birds to OIE is mandated, and reporting of other subtypes of low pathogenic avian influenza
virus is voluntary as part of the OIE Worldwide Monitoring System for Wild Animals. For the
purposes of identifying countries reporting surveillance activities for this ana