Influenza evolution in synanthropic gulls, Cordova, Alaska, 2011-2016

• Main Authors: Jonathan Runstadler, Nichola Hill
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: Research Workspace 2015
• Subjects: OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN > GULF OF ALASKA; Larus glaucescens; Glaucous-winged Gull, Gaviota ala glauca, Goéland à ailes grises; 2011 to 2016; synanthropic wildlife; human-wildlife interaction; fisheries interactions; influenza; gulls; infectious disease; North Pacific Research Board; public health; virus; pathogen evolution; salmon fisheries; Egg Island; Gaviota; Gulf of Alaska; Pacific; Alaska
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/10.24431_rw1k45l_2020_6_20_01644

This study tested whether the congregation of the glaucous-winged gull (GWGU: Larus glaucescens) at Cordova promotes amplification and reassortment of Influenza A Virus (IAV). Gulls epitomize the growing challenge associated with human-wildlife interactions and offer a valuable model for testing hypotheses regarding the dynamics of emerging disease. First, the study tracked the infection status of three classes of juvenile GWGU; hatch-years (HY), second-years (SY) and third-years (TY) to clarify their role in the dispersal of IAV between Cordova and the nearby gull breeding colony of Egg Island. Second, an innovative network analysis was used to identify reassortants and assessed viral mixing at the two sites. In addition, this study identified habitats of gulls associated with hotspots of viral evolution - findings that can be applied beyond Alaska to guide surveillance and control efforts of pest bird populations worldwide. Data: Data generated includes a list of the samples collected from glaucous-winged gulls; fecal, oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs and the influenza status (positive/negative) of each sample. Each sample is time and location-stamped. Each sample entry also includes ecological data such as the age composition (hatch-years, second-years, third-years and adults) of the flocks being sampled, expressed as a proportion (%). For the subset of samples that were acquired through trapping and had the bird in hand, morphometric measurements, antibody status (positive/negative) and banding data are also included. The time period of the collection starts in March 2011 and ends in October 2016. These data are presented as two csv files: Glaucous-winged 20gulls_capture_data_20170830.csv Glaucous-winged 20gulls_capture_data_20170830.csv This dataset was generated as part of NPRB project 1411