The risk factors for avian influenza on poultry farms: A meta-analysis

- We present a systematic review of identifying risks for AI on poultry farms.
- Open water source around poultry farms is a risk factor of AI infection.
- Nearby farm infection has high correlation with AI infection.
- Other livestock on farm can increase the risk of AI infection.
- The results were less affected by publication bias.

BackgroundAvian influenza is a severe threat both to humans and poultry, but so far, no systematic review on the identification and evaluation of the risk factors of avian influenza infection has been published. The objective of this meta-analysis is to provide evidence for decision-making and further research on AI prevention through identifying the risk factors associated with AI infection on poultry farms.MethodsThe results from 15 selected studies on risk factors for AI infections on poultry farms were analyzed quantitatively by meta-analysis.ResultsOpen water source (OR = 2.89), infections on nearby farms (OR = 4.54), other livestock (OR = 1.90) and disinfection of farm (OR = 0.54) have significant association with AI infection on poultry farms. The subgroup analysis results indicate that there exist different risk factors for AI infections in different types of farms.ConclusionsThe main risk factors for AI infection in poultry farms are environmental conditions (open water source, infections on nearby farms), keeping other livestock on the same farm and no disinfection of the farm.

The results from 15 selected studies on risk factors for AI infections on poultry farms were analyzed quantitatively and synthetically by meta-analysis.