A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mahbubur Rahman; Timothy M. Uyeki; Malik Peiris; Jacqueline M. Cardwell; Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo; Min Kim; A. S. M. Alamgir; A. K. M. Muraduzzaman; Sudipta Sarkar; Md Giasuddin; Md Ahasanul Hoque; Montse Torremorell; Mahmudur Rahman; Guillaume Fournié; Dirk U. Pfeiffer; Meerjady Sabrina Flora; Punam Mangtani

doi:10.1111/irv.70189

A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mahbubur Rahman^*
, Timothy M. Uyeki
, Malik Peiris
, Jacqueline M. Cardwell
, Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo
, Min Kim
, A. S. M. Alamgir
, A. K. M. Muraduzzaman
, Sudipta Sarkar
, Md Giasuddin
, Md Ahasanul Hoque
, Montse Torremorell
, Mahmudur Rahman
, Guillaume Fournié
, Dirk U. Pfeiffer
, Meerjady Sabrina Flora
, Punam Mangtani

^*Corresponding author for this work

City University of Hong Kong

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

2 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Background: Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) are endemic among poultry in Bangladesh sold at live bird markets (LBMs). We assessed virologic and serologic evidence of exposure to AIVs among LBM workers.
Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 702 randomly sampled workers from 42 LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2017. Nasal and throat swabs collected from workers and air samples from LBMs were tested for influenza A virus by RT-PCR with positives subtyped for A(H5), A(H7), and A(H9). Baseline sera from 695 workers and follow-up sera from 89 workers with influenza A positive respiratory specimens were tested by microneutralization assay for antibodies to A(H5N1) clade 2.3.2.1a and A(H9N2) G1 lineage viruses circulating in poultry. A seropositive result was defined as a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:40.
Results: Most LBM workers reported slaughtering (93.3%) and defeathering (84.5%) poultry. Ninety-nine (14.1%) had ≥ 1 respiratory specimen that tested influenza A positive but negative for A(H1) and A(H3). Of these 99, subtyping identified 28 (28.3%) A(H9), 2 (2%) A(H5), 3 (3%) both A(H5) and A(H9), and 66 (66.7%) A (nonsubtypeable). Influenza A viruses were detected in air samples at 25 LBMs (59.5%), including A(H9) only in 10 LBMs (40%), A(H5) only in one (4%), both A(H5) and A(H9) in 13 (52%), and one A (nonsubtypeable) (4%). None of the participants were seropositive for AIVs.
Conclusions: LBM workers had extensive exposure to AIVs, but none had serologic evidence of infection with A(H5N1) or A(H9N2) viruses circulating among poultry in Bangladesh. Ongoing surveillance of AIVs in LBMs and poultry workers is needed.
© 2025 The Author(s).

Original language	English
Article number	e70189
Number of pages	9
Journal	Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses
Volume	19
Issue number	11
Online published	16 Nov 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.70189
Publication status	Published - Nov 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/L018993/1); Natural Environment Research Council; Medical Research Council; Economic and Social Research Council; Department for International Development, UK Government; and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Research Keywords

avian influenza
avian influenza A virus
Bangladesh
live bird market
seropositivity

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This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Rahman, M., Uyeki, T. M., Peiris, M., Cardwell, J. M., Nguipdop-Djomo, P., Kim, M., Alamgir, A. S. M., Muraduzzaman, A. K. M., Sarkar, S., Giasuddin, M., Hoque, M. A., Torremorell, M., Rahman, M., Fournié, G., Pfeiffer, D. U., Flora, M. S., & Mangtani, P. (2025). A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, 19(11), Article e70189. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.70189

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title = "A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh",

abstract = "Background: Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) are endemic among poultry in Bangladesh sold at live bird markets (LBMs). We assessed virologic and serologic evidence of exposure to AIVs among LBM workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 702 randomly sampled workers from 42 LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2017. Nasal and throat swabs collected from workers and air samples from LBMs were tested for influenza A virus by RT-PCR with positives subtyped for A(H5), A(H7), and A(H9). Baseline sera from 695 workers and follow-up sera from 89 workers with influenza A positive respiratory specimens were tested by microneutralization assay for antibodies to A(H5N1) clade 2.3.2.1a and A(H9N2) G1 lineage viruses circulating in poultry. A seropositive result was defined as a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:40. Results: Most LBM workers reported slaughtering (93.3\%) and defeathering (84.5\%) poultry. Ninety-nine (14.1\%) had ≥ 1 respiratory specimen that tested influenza A positive but negative for A(H1) and A(H3). Of these 99, subtyping identified 28 (28.3\%) A(H9), 2 (2\%) A(H5), 3 (3\%) both A(H5) and A(H9), and 66 (66.7\%) A (nonsubtypeable). Influenza A viruses were detected in air samples at 25 LBMs (59.5\%), including A(H9) only in 10 LBMs (40\%), A(H5) only in one (4\%), both A(H5) and A(H9) in 13 (52\%), and one A (nonsubtypeable) (4\%). None of the participants were seropositive for AIVs. Conclusions: LBM workers had extensive exposure to AIVs, but none had serologic evidence of infection with A(H5N1) or A(H9N2) viruses circulating among poultry in Bangladesh. Ongoing surveillance of AIVs in LBMs and poultry workers is needed. {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s).",

keywords = "avian influenza, avian influenza A virus, Bangladesh, live bird market, seropositivity",

author = "Mahbubur Rahman and Uyeki, \{Timothy M.\} and Malik Peiris and Cardwell, \{Jacqueline M.\} and Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo and Min Kim and Alamgir, \{A. S. M.\} and Muraduzzaman, \{A. K. M.\} and Sudipta Sarkar and Md Giasuddin and Hoque, \{Md Ahasanul\} and Montse Torremorell and Mahmudur Rahman and Guillaume Fourni{\'e} and Pfeiffer, \{Dirk U.\} and Flora, \{Meerjady Sabrina\} and Punam Mangtani",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1111/irv.70189",

language = "English",

volume = "19",

journal = "Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses",

issn = "1750-2640",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "11",

}

Rahman, M, Uyeki, TM, Peiris, M, Cardwell, JM, Nguipdop-Djomo, P, Kim, M, Alamgir, ASM, Muraduzzaman, AKM, Sarkar, S, Giasuddin, M, Hoque, MA, Torremorell, M, Rahman, M, Fournié, G, Pfeiffer, DU, Flora, MS & Mangtani, P 2025, 'A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh', Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, vol. 19, no. 11, e70189. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.70189

A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. / Rahman, Mahbubur; Uyeki, Timothy M.; Peiris, Malik et al.
In: Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, Vol. 19, No. 11, e70189, 11.2025.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

AU - Rahman, Mahbubur

AU - Uyeki, Timothy M.

AU - Peiris, Malik

AU - Cardwell, Jacqueline M.

AU - Nguipdop-Djomo, Patrick

AU - Kim, Min

AU - Alamgir, A. S. M.

AU - Muraduzzaman, A. K. M.

AU - Sarkar, Sudipta

AU - Giasuddin, Md

AU - Hoque, Md Ahasanul

AU - Torremorell, Montse

AU - Rahman, Mahmudur

AU - Fournié, Guillaume

AU - Pfeiffer, Dirk U.

AU - Flora, Meerjady Sabrina

AU - Mangtani, Punam

PY - 2025/11

Y1 - 2025/11

N2 - Background: Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) are endemic among poultry in Bangladesh sold at live bird markets (LBMs). We assessed virologic and serologic evidence of exposure to AIVs among LBM workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 702 randomly sampled workers from 42 LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2017. Nasal and throat swabs collected from workers and air samples from LBMs were tested for influenza A virus by RT-PCR with positives subtyped for A(H5), A(H7), and A(H9). Baseline sera from 695 workers and follow-up sera from 89 workers with influenza A positive respiratory specimens were tested by microneutralization assay for antibodies to A(H5N1) clade 2.3.2.1a and A(H9N2) G1 lineage viruses circulating in poultry. A seropositive result was defined as a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:40. Results: Most LBM workers reported slaughtering (93.3%) and defeathering (84.5%) poultry. Ninety-nine (14.1%) had ≥ 1 respiratory specimen that tested influenza A positive but negative for A(H1) and A(H3). Of these 99, subtyping identified 28 (28.3%) A(H9), 2 (2%) A(H5), 3 (3%) both A(H5) and A(H9), and 66 (66.7%) A (nonsubtypeable). Influenza A viruses were detected in air samples at 25 LBMs (59.5%), including A(H9) only in 10 LBMs (40%), A(H5) only in one (4%), both A(H5) and A(H9) in 13 (52%), and one A (nonsubtypeable) (4%). None of the participants were seropositive for AIVs. Conclusions: LBM workers had extensive exposure to AIVs, but none had serologic evidence of infection with A(H5N1) or A(H9N2) viruses circulating among poultry in Bangladesh. Ongoing surveillance of AIVs in LBMs and poultry workers is needed. © 2025 The Author(s).

AB - Background: Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) are endemic among poultry in Bangladesh sold at live bird markets (LBMs). We assessed virologic and serologic evidence of exposure to AIVs among LBM workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 702 randomly sampled workers from 42 LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2017. Nasal and throat swabs collected from workers and air samples from LBMs were tested for influenza A virus by RT-PCR with positives subtyped for A(H5), A(H7), and A(H9). Baseline sera from 695 workers and follow-up sera from 89 workers with influenza A positive respiratory specimens were tested by microneutralization assay for antibodies to A(H5N1) clade 2.3.2.1a and A(H9N2) G1 lineage viruses circulating in poultry. A seropositive result was defined as a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:40. Results: Most LBM workers reported slaughtering (93.3%) and defeathering (84.5%) poultry. Ninety-nine (14.1%) had ≥ 1 respiratory specimen that tested influenza A positive but negative for A(H1) and A(H3). Of these 99, subtyping identified 28 (28.3%) A(H9), 2 (2%) A(H5), 3 (3%) both A(H5) and A(H9), and 66 (66.7%) A (nonsubtypeable). Influenza A viruses were detected in air samples at 25 LBMs (59.5%), including A(H9) only in 10 LBMs (40%), A(H5) only in one (4%), both A(H5) and A(H9) in 13 (52%), and one A (nonsubtypeable) (4%). None of the participants were seropositive for AIVs. Conclusions: LBM workers had extensive exposure to AIVs, but none had serologic evidence of infection with A(H5N1) or A(H9N2) viruses circulating among poultry in Bangladesh. Ongoing surveillance of AIVs in LBMs and poultry workers is needed. © 2025 The Author(s).

KW - avian influenza

KW - avian influenza A virus

KW - Bangladesh

KW - live bird market

KW - seropositivity

UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001615381900001

U2 - 10.1111/irv.70189

DO - 10.1111/irv.70189

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

C2 - 41243197

SN - 1750-2640

VL - 19

JO - Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses

JF - Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses

IS - 11

M1 - e70189

ER -

A Cross-Sectional Virological and Sero-Epidemiological Study of Exposures to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) Viruses in Live Bird Market Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

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