Biological sampling: focus on Gujarat

One Health Poultry Hub researchers have been conducting fieldwork in Gujarat, India, collecting biological samples, conducting interviews, inputting data and sharing updates via the Hub’s local communication channels. The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic meant the work started later than anticipated, at the end of August last year, and the fieldwork has required the team to travel long distances. This image shows Hub members Prakash Koringa, Haidaruliman Paleja, Subhash Jakhesara, Ankit Hinsu and Akash Golaviya from Anand Agricultural University (AAU) and Bhadreshsinh Dinesh from Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) sampling at a farm.

Biological sampling is a core fieldwork activity, a first step to analysing the diversity of pathogens found along poultry value chains. Biological chicken and human sampling provides insights into the transmission, persistence and evolution of zoonotic health hazards originating in poultry as well as antimicrobial resistance shaped by the poultry production and distribution system. This image shows a blood sample being dropped on to an FTA card, a paper treated specifically for biological sample collection and analysis.

In addition to sampling for genetics and antimicrobial resistance, sampling will enable the analysis of major food-borne pathogens such as E. coli, non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter. To do this work, the team selected live-bird shops selling broiler and desi-type (‘country’) birds in eight cities and associated exotic broiler farms in the Gujarat region. This picture was taken at a live bird shop selling desi chickens.

Researchers met with an overwhelmingly positive response from live-bird shop owners and poultry farmers, who were awarded a certificate of appreciation and a copy of the guide to poultry production for their collaboration with the team. This image shows the team handing out one of the certificates to a retailer. Human sampling was carried out alongside biological sampling for chickens. However, it was sometimes more challenging to convince people to take part in this.