Transmission of influenza A viruses at the human-animal interface in Ghana

Human infections with diseases of animal origins are on a global increase and viruses have been a major component of such new infections. Influenza A viruses (IAVs) causes substantial morbidity and mortality with occasional pandemics and panzootics in humans and animals respectively. In addition the virus has zoonotic and anthroponotic potential. Therefore, circulating viruses at the human-animal interface a veterinary and public health concern and requires an OneHealth approach in effective control. In Ghana, influenza surveillance programmes and research are hospital-based and focused primarily on children with influenza-like illness and acute or severe acute respiratory infections. Surveillance in animals particularly poultry, is adhoc, intensified during outbreaks with high pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). Surveillance in swine, which are ‘mixing vessels’ for generating influenza reassortants with zoonotic and pandemic propensities are nearly non-existent. Farmers are at high-risk of becoming infected with zoonotic influenza viruses but there is no influenza surveillance programme at the humananimal interface in Ghana. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to provide baseline information on influenza transmission at the farmer-animal interface in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The Ashanti region is the most populated region of Ghana and also large amounts of poultry and swine are kept there. The study further investigates the animal husbandry practices of animal farmers in the region as a risk of zoonotic infections. From poultry, tracheal and cloacal swabs and blood were collected, nasal swabs and blood were collected from swine and throat swabs and blood were collected from poultry and swine farmers. from poultry kept intensively on farms. Throat swab and blood were collected from the farmers. Additionally, questionnaire was administered to the farmers. All swabs were analysed for human and animal IAVs using PCR and characterised by sequencing. Sera were analysed for human, avian and ...