Hassan Habibi

Objectives: House fly are the most important insect pest associated with poultry, where the accumulated organic waste and favorable environmental conditions often promote rapid development of large populations. Houseflies, mainly Musca domestica, are important nuisance pests of domestic animals and people, as well as the main fly vectors of foodborne and animal pathogens. This study aims to evaluate Housefly as a vector for avian viral pathogens. Materials & Methods: A total of 90 Houseflies were collected from campus of School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Iran. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test using specific published primers for Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Bursal Disease was carried out to detect the viruses. Results & Conclusion: The avian influenza H9N2 and Newcastle disease virus genes were detected from 18 and 32 separated samples respectively by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (M1 and F gens, respectively). Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Bursal Disease viruses were not detected from all houseflies. This result suggest that it is possible that houseflies could become a mechanical transmitter of avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses.