Background: Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is an economically significant respiratory pathogen of poultry that affects performance, egg production, and fertility of breeder flocks. Despite its impact, aMPV continues to be ill-defined in Egypt with no integrated surveillance studies conducted in breeder flocks. Therefore, the current study was designed to provide the first integrated molecular and serological evaluation of aMPV circulation in broiler breeders in Egypt. Methods: Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 6,000 serum samples and 800 tracheal swabs were collected from 60 unvaccinated broiler breeder flocks across twelve Egyptian governorates. Sera were obtained at 16 weeks (rearing phase) and 35 weeks (production phase) of age and screened for aMPV subtypes A and B by ELISA. Tracheal swabs collected during the production phase were pooled into 80 composite samples and tested for the viral RNA by reverse transcription quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: Serological analysis revealed widespread aMPV exposure, with governorate-level seroprevalence ranging between 64.4% (Luxor) and 89% (Giza). Antibody titers increased between 16 and 35 weeks of age, reflecting cumulative viral exposure. Molecular testing detected aMPV RNA in 67 (83.75%) of pooled swab samples. Subtype B was the predominant genotype detected solely in 65 (81.25%) sample pools and in co-detection with subtype A in 2 pools (2.5%). Serological and molecular findings were generally aligned, with flocks positive for aMPV RNA often exhibiting higher antibody titers. Conclusion: These findings indicate that aMPV, particularly subtype B, is likely endemic across the Egyptian broiler breeder flocks. The study highlights critical knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for viral isolation, sequencing, and controlled evaluation of biosecurity and vaccination strategies.

Bats are considered ideal reservoirs for zoonotic viruses with emerging capabilities over the past two decades and spotted evidence points out that they may play a role as a reservoir host for SARS-CoV-2. To investigate the possible role of bats as part of SARS-CoV-2 anthropozoonotic spill-over infections in Egypt, a total of 800 samples obtained from 200 Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative RT-PCR assay (RT-qPCR). RT-qPCR analysis of RNA extracted from bat tissues showed no positive results for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. These findings suggest that during the study period, the Rousettus aegyptiacus bat was not a reservoir or amplifying host for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Egypt. The lack of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in Egyptian fruit bats is thought to make a significant contribution to SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a major respiratory pathogen of poultry with a significant economic impact; however, its epidemiology at the wildlife–poultry interface remains poorly understood, particularly within Afro–Eurasian migratory systems. This cross-sectional study (December 2024–April 2026) investigated aMPV occurrence in wild birds across eleven Egyptian governorates representing key ecological zones along major migratory flyways. A total of 1280 samples were collected from 800 wild birds representing migratory waterfowl and synanthropic species, including 800 oropharyngeal swabs tested by real-time RT-qPCR for aMPV subtypes A and B and 480 serum samples analyzed using indirect ELISA. aMPV RNA was detected in 28/800 samples (3.5%), with all positives identified as subtype B and confined to the Nile Delta, Middle Egypt, and Canal Region. In contrast, serological analysis revealed a high seroprevalence of 58.3% (280/480), indicating widespread prior exposure with significant spatial and species-level variation (p < 0.05). The marked disparity between low molecular detection and high seroprevalence supports transient infection with cumulative exposure. The exclusive detection of subtype B may reflect epidemiological connectivity between poultry and wild bird populations within shared ecological interfaces; however, the directionality of transmission and the possibility of independent wildlife maintenance could not be determined within the scope of the present cross-sectional study. Future studies incorporating whole-genome sequencing, longitudinal surveillance, and broader flyway-scale sampling are needed to resolve transmission pathways and distinguish field strains from potential vaccine-derived viruses within wildlife–poultry interfaces.

The possibility that the bats could act as amplifying/reservoir host for Rift valley Fever virus (RVFV) during the inter-epidemic period was investigated. Four-hundred different samples were obtained from 100 Egyptian insectivorous and frugivorous bats (comprising two species) and tested by real-time RT-PCR assay (rRT-PCR). Pooled liver from insectivorous but not frugivorous bat samples were found positive for RVFV RNA, Partial S and M genome segments sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis showed that these viruses are genetically close to those circulated in livestock and humans during the previously reported RVFV outbreaks in Egypt 1977-1978, 1993 and 2003. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of the RVFV genome in insectivorous bats in Egypt.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is an important respiratory pathogen of poultry associated with respiratory disease, reproductive losses, secondary bacterial complications, and economic losses in commercial poultry systems worldwide. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the epidemiology, molecular diversity, transmission ecology, diagnosis, vaccination, and wildlife–poultry interactions of aMPV across Africa and the Middle East. This literature was identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using predefined keywords related to epidemiology, molecular characterization, surveillance, wild birds, diagnostics, and vaccination. Available evidence demonstrates widespread endemic circulation of aMPV, with subtype B predominating across most investigated poultry systems. However, major heterogeneity exists among studies regarding surveillance intensity, diagnostic methodologies, molecular characterization, and reporting standards. Current evidence suggests possible involvement of wild birds in viral dissemination, although definitive reservoir competence and transmission directionality remain insufficiently established. Important surveillance gaps persist across several African and Middle Eastern countries, emphasizing the need for harmonized surveillance, subtype-matched vaccination strategies, and integrated regional monitoring.