Flutrop CIRAD Avian Influenza

(Link to project website )

The surge of the global avian influenza epizootic caused by the genotype Z high pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has posed numerous questions, in particular to risk managers and policy makers. Scientific knowledge is thin on many aspects of the ecology and environmental properties of HPAIVs, in particular H5N1. Virus survival, a key element in control strategies, is an illustration of this paucity of knowledge. Data from the literature on AIV survival are rather limited, often very old and sometimes not confirmed from one study to another or even contradictory. The results obtained with various sub-types of influenza A viruses cannot be extrapolated to the current A(H5N1) viruses before a careful consideration. Further, few information is provided regarding the survival of IVs in the air and surfaces. Meantime, no standardised protocols exist to detect AIVs in waters, in the air or in/on solid matrices. Ideally, the virus detection technique to be used should be sensitive, quantitative, rapid and applicable in routine before or after a standardised sampling method, including or not concentration.

Research question :

To understand the role of environment (water, manure, excrement, air, soils, housing…) in the survival of the virus and in the re-emergence of outbreaks.

Expected results :

• To understand the virological basis of survival.
• To understand the impact of physico-chemical parameters on virus survival
• to evaluate the role of environmental reservoir.
• To offer standardized protocols to concentrate and to detect the virus in water and other organic matter (including food)
• To produce a database and analytical tools in order to generate recommendations and controls methods in case of human and animal outbreaks.

Methodlogy :

• Searching viral bioequivalence (using different strains animal/human)
• Designing methods of concentration, identification and quantification of virus in water, in mud and in aquatics animals
• Data collection about survival of virus in different natural environment during and after outbreaks (Europe, Asia, Africa)
• Observation of the virus survival and concentration in experimental setting.
• Survival of virus in the farms surrounding (house, soils…)
• Impact of industrial treatment (air, water, surfaces) on virus survival
• Impact of industrial treatment on the food processing
• Modeling and recommendations

Cirad activities :

• Model of survival of the virus within different environement, with both spatial and dynamic approach (Workpackage 9). This activity will be undertaken by the epidemiology unit in Cambodia in collaboration with Pasteur Institute, Cambodia and ICM, Varsovy.