What is it about?
In Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, bird flu was found in backyard chickens, ducks, and pigeons, with chickens most affected. A unique untyped HA strain was discovered. Poor hygiene practices and with wild birds increased risk, better care can reduce spread.
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Why is it important?
In Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, avian influenza was found in backyard chickens, ducks, and pigeons, with chickens being most affected. The study discovered a unique untyped HA strain, not previously reported in Pakistan. Risk of infection increased with poor hygiene, keeping different bird species together, and contact with wild birds. These findings show that backyard poultry can play a role in spreading bird flu locally and potentially to humans. Improving cleanliness, vaccinating birds, and separating species can help reduce the spread of the virus. We used RT PCR that is reliable test in AIV.
Perspectives
As the first author of this study, I feel proud to contribute new knowledge on avian influenza in backyard poultry in Pakistan. Discovering a unique untyped HA strain was particularly exciting, as it highlights gaps in our understanding of virus diversity in rural areas. Conducting fieldwork in Toba Tek Singh and working closely with local bird owners gave me firsthand insight into the challenges of backyard poultry management and biosecurity. I hope our findings raise awareness about simple but crucial practices like vaccination, cleanliness, and separating bird species that can prevent virus spread. This work reinforces the importance of surveillance in small-scale poultry settings and offers practical steps to protect both animals and humans from avian influenza.
Iram Shakeel
Aga Khan University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Prevalence and risk factors of Influenza Avian Virus in backyard pigeons, ducks, and chickens in Toba Tek Singh District, Pakistan, PLOS One, October 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314186.
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