Oral shedding of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) experimentally infected with an avian influenza virus (H4N6).

aOral shedding was assessed via oral swabs by RRT-PCR. Results are presented as log10 PCR EID50 equivalents/mL. A dash “--” indicates that no viral RNA was detected. The term “nt” indicates the sample was not taken or there was insufficient sample volume to conduct the test.b* = Live virus confirmed by virus isolation in eggs. Only samples from 1–10 DPI were tested.cA single animal was sampled on 16 DPI (nt = sample not taken).dS = Suspect positive: two wells positive but Ct>38.eIndividual was a mock inoculated control skunk housed in the same animal room, but in a separate pen.