EXPERIMENTAL EXPOSURE OF FRANKLINS' GULLS (Larvus pipixcan) AND MALLARDS (Anas platyrhynchos) TO A TURKEY INFLUENZA A VIRUS A/Turkey/Minn/BF/72 (Hav6Neq2)

Abstract

Gulls ( Larvus pipixcan ) and mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) were experimentally exposed to a turkey influenza A isolant, A/turkey/Minn/BF/72 (Hav6Neq 2). No clinical signs of disease were observed in either species. Tracheal shedding of virus from the gulls persisted for 24 days post-inoculation but virus later than 6 days post exposure could not be demonstrated in either tracheal or cloacal samples from the mallards. Precipitating antibodies were not detected. Hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies were demonstrated in inoculated gulls but antibody levels were low and erratic in ducks.