Phylogenetic analyses of Avian Influenzaviruses from wild birds in Ukraine and their connection to Isolates in Europe in the period 2010-2020. – Scientific Exchange (UKRAIDE)

The avian influenza virus (AIV) poses a major threat to human and animal health, in particular to domestic poultry and wild birds. The biological characteristics of the virus lead to several unique features. Thus, the virus has the potential for reassortments, the exchange and recombination of whole genes. The resulting new variants, while occurring regularly, are not predictable. The high mutation rate also allows the virus to escape the host’s immune system and additionally increases the occurrence of new variants. In addition to trade and transport of poultry, wild birds, in particular migratory waterbirds, play a central role in the introduction and spread of avian influenza viruses. Waterfowl are considered a natural reservoir for low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV) of all avian subtypes. These LPAIVs are considered a genetic reservoir for the reassortment of highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV). For the early detection of new variants, a broad virological monitoring is essential for the detection of avian influenza viruses in wild birds. In particular, countries such as Ukraine play a decisive role. The unique location of Ukraine in Central Europe, at the junction of migratory bird migration routes from North Asia to Western Europe and North Africa to Northern Europe, as well as climatic and ecological factors, has led to a high accumulation of wild birds in the region. The collaborative project aims to provide molecular biology analysis of avian influenza viruses found and isolated in wild birds in Ukraine from the National Scientific Center collaborative partner, the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine (NSC