OAHN Poultry Project: Serological and molecular surveillance for aMPV in wild birds

Project Lead: Dr. Claire Jardine

Collaborators:  Christopher Sharp, Dr. Davor Ojkic

Executive Summary

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) has been found on most continents and affects many avian species including domestic poultry. Though aMPV genotypes A and B have been detected in wild birds in South America and Europe, only aMPV genotype C has been found in North American wild birds [1]. In Ontario, wild birds have tested positive for aMPV C via PCR at a rate of 22% [2]. A higher apparent prevalence in American black ducks and mallards (37%-44%) suggests that these species may act as carriers or reservoirs for the virus [2]. However, the recent emergence of genotypes A and B in North American domestic poultry has highlighted the need for further investigation into the potential role that wild birds play in the epidemiology of this virus, given that only genotype C has been detected in wild birds in Ontario to date.

The United States detected their first cases of aMPV B in domestic poultry in January 2024 [3], while the first cases in Canada were detected in Ontario in May 2024 [4]. Though only aMPV C has been detected in wild birds in Ontario, surveillance has not occurred in wild birds since the emergence of types A and B in North American domestic poultry. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the prevalence of various aMPV genotypes in wild birds in southwestern Ontario through molecular and serological testing.

During fall of 2024 and spring of 2025, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) submitted samples from American black duck (3), blue-winged teal (30), mallard (199), northern pintail (7), and wood duck (33) for ELISA and PCR testing. Among all ducks tested, 23/264 (9%) were non-negative for aMPV C on the PCR test. Blue-winged teal tested non-negative at a rate of 10% (3/30), mallards at a rate of 9% (18/192), and wood ducks at a rate of 6% (2/33). All PCR results for genotypes A and B were negative. Among all species, antibodies to aMPV were detected in 19% (35/182, S/P ≥ 0.20) of samples, including 20% of mallards (29/148), 67% (2/3) of American black ducks, 17% (1/6) of northern pintails, and 14% (3/22) of wood ducks. ELISA testing doesn’t detect the serotype and only demonstrates previous exposure to aMPV.

Based on the results of this study, aMPV A and B do not appear to be prevalent in wild birds in Ontario, while genotype C continues to circulate at levels comparable to those previously identified [1]. This suggests that recent outbreaks of aMPV A and B in domestic poultry are unlikely to be linked to wild birds in Ontario, and that additional research is needed to investigate their source.

References:

1. Graziosi G, Lupini C, Catelli E. Disentangling the role of wild birds in avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) epidemiology: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2022;69:3285-3299. doi:10.1111/tbed.14680

2. Jardine CM, Parmley EJ, Buchanan T, Nituch L, Ojkic D. Avian metapneumovirus subtype C in Wild Waterfowl in Ontario, Canada. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2018;65(4):1098-1102. doi:10.1111/tbed.12832

3. Luqman M, Duhan N, Temeeyasen G, Selim M, Jangra S, Mor K. Geographical Expansion of Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype B: First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype B in US Poultry. Viruses. 2024;16(508). https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040508

4. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Avian metapneumovirus [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Apr 13]. Available from: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/immediately-notifiable/avian-metapneumovirus