SEROLOGIC STUDIES OF SWINE INFLUENZA INFECTION IN ALBANIA

Three subtypes, H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 influenza A viruses, are currently co-circulating in the swine populations in Europe. This study reports the current seroprevalence of swine H1 and H3 influenza in the swine populations in Albania by ELISA assay according to age group, management and rigging. This study extends in a three year investigation of antibody prevalence against SIV in swine serum samples collected from 16 regions of Albania. Blood samples from both intensive, and extensive swine farms were the sera used to perform the test. The prevalence of seropositivity against SIV during 2007-08 was 19.3%. During 2008-09, the prevalence of seropositivity against swine H1 virus was 12.2% and the swine H3 virus was 8.9%, and 2.6% were suspected cases. The cross reactivity was 5.7%. During 2009-10, the prevalence of seropositivity against the swine H1 virus was 18,3%, the swine H3 virus was 1,6%, and 1,2% were suspected cases. The cross reactivity was 1,2%. The highest prevalence of seropositivity was detected in the 3-6 months age group (11.3%), meanwhile the prevalence of seropositivity in intensive farms was higher than in extensive farms (12.7%).