Figure 1

Air sampling and individual swabbing under controlled BSL-3 experimental settings. A Viral concentrations detected in tracheal and cloacal swabs. B Air samples from chickens exposed to the BE-HPH5N8_2020 strain. C Viral concentrations detected in tracheal and cloacal swabs. D Air samples from chickens vaccinated with the LaSota strain. The detected viral concentrations are expressed as log₁₀ values (RNA copies/mL). For BE-HPH5N8_2020 infection, air data were obtained at different sampling times: 2, 5, 7, 9, 14 and 21 dpi. For live NDV vaccination, data are presented for different sampling times of 6, 8, 10 and 15 dpv. The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the viral loads excreted between each timepoint for air sampling and individual swabs for BE-HPH5N8_2020 infection (ns: p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01—Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The nonparametric Mann‒Whitney U test was used to compare the viral loads excreted between each timepoint for individual swabs for live NDV vaccination (ns: p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01—Mann‒Whitney U test).