OmniVira

Genetic and Epidemiological Evidence of Avian Influenza A(H9N2) Detection Among Poultry in Ghana, 2022.

Stephen Ofori Nyarko1 Lorreta Kwasah1,2 Linda Boatemaa1,3 Nana Afia Asante Ntim1 Mildred Adusei-Poku3 Gifty Mawuli Sarpong1 Vanessa Magnusen1,2 Jennifer Wutsika1,3 Samuel Ago1 Esinam Aku Apefa Amenuvor1,4 Juliet Wordui1,3 Ama Nyansema Sekyi-Yorke1 Cecilia Takyi1 Roberta Tackie1 Innocent Kwao Doku1 Joseph Asuam Nyarko1 Joseph Ahia Quarcoo1 Grace Arezie Kyiire1 Theophilus Odoom5 Fenteng Danso5 William Asiedu6 Daniel Lartei Mingle6 Naiki Attram7 Shirley Cameron Nimo-Paintsil7 Sanders Terrel7 Hugo Miranda Quijada7 William Kwabena Ampofo1 Ivy Asantewaa Asante1
Affiliations 7 institutions
  1. Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P. O. Box LG 581, Ghana.
  2. West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P. O. Box LG 54, Ghana.
  3. Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra P. O. Box LG 25, Ghana.
  4. Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra P. O. Box 4236, Ghana.
  5. Veterinary Services Directorate, Accra P. O. Box M 161, Ghana.
  6. Public Health Division, 37 Military Hospital, Accra P. O. Box BC 254, Ghana.
  7. United States Naval Medical Research Unit-EURAFCENT, Ghana Detachment, 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonment, Accra P. O. Box GP 2288, Ghana.
PMID42515577 DOI10.3390/v18070725 Year2026 Journal Viruses Languageeng Statusepublish

Abstract

Avian influenza viruses continue to pose significant zoonotic and pandemic threat globally, with low-pathogenic avian influenza A(H9N2) being of particular concern due to sustained circulation in poultry, adaptability, and repeated human spillover. This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. Samples were collected from poultry, pigs, the environment, and animal handlers across backyard farms, commercial farms, and live bird markets. Laboratory testing was conducted using real-time RT-PCR, while statistical associations were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on selected positive samples. Out of 4056 samples, 1516 were poultry samples. A(H9N2) was detected exclusively in poultry, with a prevalence of 5.67%. The Northern belt recorded the highest prevalence. Live bird markets had significantly higher odds of A(H9N2) detection compared with commercial farms (odds ratio: 15.37, p < 0.0001), while backyard farms had lower odds. Environmental samples were negative. Among animal handlers, one case each of A(H3N2) and SARS-CoV-2 was identified. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Ghanaian strains belonged to clade G1 and possessed mammalian-adaptive markers. These findings highlight ongoing circulation in poultry and the need for sustained One Health surveillance.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
AH9 1 avian influenza 57 Ghana 11 poultry 130 prevalence 72

Evidence records

8 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
6 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Viral Detection
6 records
OVE11870 Viral Detection
Key finding

Influenza A(H9N2) was detected exclusively in poultry in Ghana with a prevalence of 5.67%.

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
birds Aves Natural host
Location
Ghana
Supporting text

This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. A(H9N2) was detected exclusively in poultry, with a prevalence of 5.67%.

Method
real-time RT-PCR
Geographic raw
Ghana
Country inferred
GHA
OVE11871 Viral Detection
Key finding

Live bird markets in Ghana had significantly higher odds of A(H9N2) detection than commercial farms, while backyard farms had lower odds.

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
birds Aves Natural host
Location
Ghana Live bird markets commercial farms backyard farms
Supporting text

This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. Live bird markets had significantly higher odds of A(H9N2) detection compared with commercial farms (odds ratio: 15.37, p < 0.0001), while backyard farms had lower odds.

Method
real-time RT-PCR | chi-square | logistic regression
Geographic raw
Ghana | Live bird markets | commercial farms | backyard farms
Country inferred
GHA
OVE11873 Viral Detection
Key finding

One animal handler in Ghana tested positive for influenza A(H3N2).

Virus
Influenza A virus H3N2
Host
human Homo sapiens Natural host
Location
Ghana
Supporting text

This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. Among animal handlers, one case each of A(H3N2) and SARS-CoV-2 was identified.

Method
real-time RT-PCR
Geographic raw
Ghana
Country inferred
GHA
OVE11874 Viral Detection
Key finding

One animal handler in Ghana tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
human Homo sapiens Natural host
Location
Ghana
Supporting text

This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. Among animal handlers, one case each of A(H3N2) and SARS-CoV-2 was identified.

Method
real-time RT-PCR
Geographic raw
Ghana
Country inferred
GHA
OVE11875 Viral Detection
Key finding

The Northern belt of Ghana recorded the highest prevalence of A(H9N2) detections in poultry.

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
birds Aves Natural host
Location
Northern belt Ghana
Supporting text

A(H9N2) was detected exclusively in poultry, with a prevalence of 5.67%. The Northern belt recorded the highest prevalence.

Method
real-time RT-PCR
Geographic raw
Northern belt | Ghana
Country inferred
GHA
OVE11872 Viral Detection
Key finding

Environmental samples in Ghana tested negative for A(H9N2).

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
Not specified
Location
Ghana
Supporting text

This study investigated the detection and genetic characterization of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface in Ghana in 2022, using a nationwide cross-sectional One Health approach. Environmental samples were negative.

Method
real-time RT-PCR
Sample type
environmental samples
Geographic raw
Ghana
Country inferred
GHA
Functional Mechanism
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Molecular Adaptation
1 records
OVE11877 Molecular Adaptation
Key finding

Ghanaian A(H9N2) strains belonged to clade G1 and carried mammalian-adaptive markers.

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
Not specified
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Ghanaian strains belonged to clade G1 and possessed mammalian-adaptive markers.

Mechanism types
host-range expansion
Genomic Evolution
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Phylogenetic Evolution
1 records
OVE11876 Phylogenetic Evolution
Key finding

Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis placed Ghanaian A(H9N2) strains in clade G1.

Virus
Influenza A virus H9N2
Host
birds Aves Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on selected positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Ghanaian strains belonged to clade G1

Genes or proteins
whole-genome
Analysis methods
whole-genome sequencing | phylogenetic analysis