BackgroundInfluenza is among the most common viruses affecting humans and many animals worldwide. While influenza A (IAV) and D (IDV) viruses are associated with respiratory disease in humans and animals, respectively, their prevalence in the Middle East is unknown. MethodsHere, we assessed the seroprevalence of IDV and IAV/H1N1 in 331 ruminants (including camels, sheep, cattle, and goats) in Qatar. Sera samples were collected from ruminants in different farms and titrated by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay. ResultsWe showed a high prevalence of IDV in all ruminants, ranging between 55 and 84 %, with the highest rates seen in sheep and cattle. The rates were much lower for IAV, ranging between 6 and 8 %, but were not detectable in goats. HAI titers of IDV-seropositive samples ranged between 20 and 2560, whereas IAV titers ranged between 20 and 640. ConclusionsOur study provides the first serological evidence of IDV and IAV/H1N1 in ruminants in Qatar. These results underscore the need for further investigation into the role of ruminants in influenza virus transmission.This work was funded by Qatar University, BRC Internal Funds 2020, and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), grant MME03-1128-210032
