Seasonal and Inter‐annual Dynamics of Avian Influenza Virus Infection in Wild Ducks in the northern Kulunda Plain, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia

The objective of the study was to identify the features of seasonal and inter‐annual dynamics of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection in wild duck populations in the north of the Kulunda Plain during migrations. Biological samples were collected from April to November 2015–2024. from 15 species of wild ducks. To isolate influenza A virus isolates from cloacal smears, cultivation on developing chicken embryos was used in three consecutive passages, following a standard procedure. Cloacal smears were collected from 3,733 individuals of the Anatidae family. 163 A AIV VP isolates were isolated from samples taken in autumn, while 2 isolates were isolated in spring. The analysis of the data showed inter‐annual fluctuations in the infection rate of AIV from 1 to 10 % in different years. Varying seasonal and inter‐annual dynamics of wild duck infection were determined in the study area and it can be assumed that this is caused by the specific characteristics of the carriers and environmental conditions.