Is There Cross-Species Transmission to Pigs of Avian Influenza Virus Within Poultry Farms with Previous Outbreak of Avian Influenza?

Abstract

Interspecies interaction between pigs and poultry has not been well elucidated in Ghana. Although avian influenza circulated in
some small commercial holdings with mixed poultry-pig system in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, the investigation on
possible cross transmission from poultry to pigs has not been elucidated. To this end, 350 blood and nasal swab respectively
from pigs were screened for influenza A by Real Time RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was
no evidence of avian influenza in pigs within the poultry farms. However, biosecurity compliance among the farmers was
suboptimal, suggesting possible cross transmission in the future as pig population density continues to increase. Therefore, active
surveillance in those farms should be strengthened for unpredictable future pandemic.