Animal Influenza Virus (2nd Edition)

Animal Influenza Virus (Second Edition)

Edited by Erica Spackman

Series: Methods in Molecular Biology

Publisher: Humana Press, 2nd ed., 2014

ISBN-10: 1493907573

ISBN-13: 978-1493907571

425 pages

Influenza A viruses are among the most important pathogens for humans, food animals, and companion animals. Of the animal influenza viruses, avian, swine, and equine influenza are likely to have the greatest economic impact internationally because of their value as food animals or, with horses due to a large sport competition industry. Also, although the risk is truly unknown, as domestic animals, poultry, swine, and horses have extended contact with humans, which provides an interface for interspecies transmission, there is always the potential for these animal influenza viruses to become threats to public health.

Regardless of the possible implications for public health, influenza is highly significant to poultry, swine, and equine health. Research and diagnostics with animal influenza viruses are critical to animal health in its own right and it should be recognized that the needs and goals of animal agriculture and veterinary medicine are not always the same as those of public health. Even within these three examples of animal influenza viruses there are differences in the approach which may need to be taken, as the structure of the poultry, swine, and equine industries are different and there are some biological differences of influenza virus from each animal group as well. One of the aims of this book is to sort out those differences and to provide host, strain, and lineage specifi c guidance and procedures.

Part II - Avian Influenza

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