H6n2 Virus Persistence in Faecal Samples from Experimentally Infected Ducks

Some assessments carried out to determine the period of time when viruses preserve their infective properties lack enough information about the environmental conditions. For instance, FITCHNER [5] affirms that during the Pennsylvania outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza in 1983-1985, caused by a Н5N2 virus, the agent was detected in wet manure under field conditions after 105 days. UTTERBACK [11] concluded that the virus could be detected in concentrations up to 107.0 EID50/g and could survive for more than 44 days, but in both studies, the changes in ambient humidity and temperature were not reported although it could be assumed that variations were present.