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Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Detection of (avian) influenza A viruses in environmental samples (WAIV)
Project
Project code: FLI-IVD-08-Ri-0702
Contract period: 01.10.2019
- 30.09.2022
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Influenza A viruses are widespread respiratory pathogens of animals and human beings. Populations of wild aquatic birds constitute a main reservoir of these viruses. Contrary to transmission mechanisms via aerosols of mammalian influenza A viruses, virus excretion and transmission in avian species is predominantly via the faeco-oral route. Surface waters therefore possibly play a central role in spreading avian influenza viruses (AIV) in the environment. Viral deposits in the environment are likely important in the generation of epizootics among wild birds and for perpetuation of viruses in a geographic region. Some AIV also have zoonotic propensity; it is currently unclear whether AIV contaminated natural water bodies are a meaningful exposure site for humans during outdoor activities. In the frame of a joint research project between the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) and the National Reference Centre for Animal Influenza at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (NRL-AI, FLI) environmental samples, in particular surface waters and bankside sediments, will be examined for presence of influenza A viruses. Investigations will mainly be based on molecular-virological techniques including sub- and pathotyping. A sensitive detection algorithm will be put to work: At first level, viruses or parts thereof will be enriched from environmental sample matrices. Level 2 focuses on the detection and characterization of viral material including infectivity assays. The study aims at developing methods that allow a broad screening for AIV in the environment omitting the need to sample individual wild birds for monitoring purposes. In addition, the study seeks to evaluate the role of surface waters and sediments for transmission and spread of (zoonotic) AIV. This will include investigations into the tenacity of AIV. Finally, the role of water as a dynamic transmission matrix will be probed in animal infection experiments. The expected results will allow a deeper understanding of the epidemiology of AIV in the host reservoirs, and facilitates risk assessments of AIV contaminated surface waters.
The project has started in October 2019; development and optimization of filtration technology has commenced.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
- Wildlife Biology
