Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA

Data were collected as part of an investigation developed by Leetown Science Center to investigate the comparative detection of avian influenza viruses from waterfowl and potential environmental reservoirs such as aquatic sediment from waterfowl habitat. This dataset identifies positive or negative test results for qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) for avian influenza virus through identification of the Type A influenza virus matrix gene from aquatic sediment samples. Sediment samples were collected from waterfowl habitat so as to determine if temporal and spatial differences in virus detection by qRT-PCR were evident among test sites.