Flutrop CIRAD Avian Influenza

The scientific objective of the project is to establish a multidisciplinary network for “early warning and risk assessment” in real time for influenza viruses in migratory birds in Europe , by gaining insight in the role of migratory birds in the possible spread of AI viruses to and among poultry and mammals in Europe.

Research Topics

• Describe waterbird migration in and to Europe in maps to facilitate risk assessment and selection of sites for AI sampling in wild birds

• Virological studies on real time monitoring of both low- and highly pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI and HPAI) viruses in migratory birds along their flyways and sites of future die-offs, in close collaboration with the ornithological studies.

• Experimental infection of selected migratory bird species with HPAI virus H5N1 and possibly other relevant HPAI viruses, to determine pathogenesis and excretion profiles.

• Data from virological, epidemiological and ornithological studies will be brought together, digested and integrated by data managers, epidemiologists and modellers, in order to provide the requested “early warning and risk assessment systems” in real time