Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research
Project Number: 6040-32000-081-023-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2022
End Date: Jun 30, 2027
Objective:
1. Characterize the ecology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of emerging avian influenza viruses with a focus on the One-Health concept.
2. Develop intervention strategies to effectively control avian influenza viruses and contain disease outbreaks.
Approach:
A multidisciplinary approach will be utilized to focus on specific aspects of avian influenza virus (AIV) host interactions. The inter- and intra-species transmission dynamics of low pathogenic (LP) AIVs, which will also contribute to investigating mechanisms and pathways of intra-host virus evolution will be assessed. Determinants of virulence and mechanisms behind increased pathology seen with some low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) subtypes will be investigated. We will identify correlates of vaccine protection in avian species, including different breeds and ages. Mechanisms and immune-system-wide effects of vaccines with rapid onset of broadly protective immunity will be determined. Finally, the role of vaccines in driving escape mutations and how to prevent them will be studied.
