Movements of Wild Birds and Emerging Disease Risk from India

In December 2008, an international team from the United Nations-FAO, the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, Wetlands International, the Bombay Natural History Society, the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal, the U.S. Geological Survey (Western Ecological Research Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and Alaska Science Center), studied disease ecology of several waterfowl species including Garganey (Anas querquedula), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Northern Shovellor (Anas clypeata), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), working in cooperation with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK to also examine migratory ecology and flight performance of Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus). These species were targeted for investigation owing to their demonstrated ability to host avian influenza virus (AIV). This collaborative effort will provide insights into the role of wild birds, with major non-breeding grounds in India, in the epidemiology of AIV. These species were targeted for investigation owing to their demonstrated ability to host avian influenza virus (AIV). This collaborative effort will provide insights into the role of wild birds, with major non-breeding grounds in India, in the epidemiology of AIV.

The objectives of this research were to: 1) capture and mark bar-headed geese and several other waterfowl species at three sites within India to examine their migration routes and respective breeding grounds; and 2) sample the prevalence of AIV and other pathogens in waterfowl species and establish their capacity to spread them.