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. 2018 Jan 25;7(1):17.
doi: 10.1186/s13643-018-0691-z.

Global avian influenza outbreaks 2010-2016: a systematic review of their distribution, avian species and virus subtype

Ioanna P Chatziprodromidou  1 , Malamatenia Arvanitidou  2 , Javier Guitian  3 , Thomas Apostolou  4 , George Vantarakis  5 , Apostolos Vantarakis  6
Affiliations

Global avian influenza outbreaks 2010-2016: a systematic review of their distribution, avian species and virus subtype

Ioanna P Chatziprodromidou et al. Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: We conducted a systematic review to investigate avian influenza outbreaks and to explore their distribution, upon avian influenza subtype, country, avian species and other relating details as no comprehensive epidemiological analysis of global avian influenza outbreaks from 2010 to 2016 exists.

Methods: Data was collated from four databases (Scopus, Web of Science Core Correlation, PubMed and SpringerLink electronic journal) and a global electronic reporting system (ProMED mail), using PRISMA and ORION systematic approaches. One hundred seventy three avian influenza virus outbreaks were identified and included in this review, alongside 198 ProMED mail reports.

Results: Our research identified that the majority of the reported outbreaks occurred in 2016 (22.2%). These outbreaks were located in China (13.6%) and referred to commercial poultry farms (56.1%). The most common subtype reported in these outbreaks was H5N1 (38.2%), while almost 82.5% of the subtypes were highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. There were differences noticed between ProMED mail and the scientific literature screened.

Conclusions: Avian influenza virus has been proved to be able to contaminate all types of avian species, including commercial poultry farms, wild birds, backyard domestic animals, live poultry, game birds and mixed poultry. The study focused on wet markets, slaughterhouses, wild habitats, zoos and natural parks, in both developed and developing countries. The impact of avian influenza virus seems disproportionate and could potentially burden the already existing disparities in the public health domain. Therefore, a collaboration between all the involved health sectors is considered to be more than necessary.

Keywords: Avian flu; Avian influenza; Avian species; Outbreak; Wild birds.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow of information through the different phases of this systematic review
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Avian influenza virus subtypes upon country
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Global distribution of avian influenza virus outbreaks
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Avian influenza virus subtypes upon year (2010–2016)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Low(LPAI)/\highly (HPAI) pathogenic avian influenza virus upon avian influenza virus subtype
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Avian influenza virus subtype distribution upon avian species
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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