Influenza
Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects multiple animal species, posing significant risks to both animal and human health.
STAR IDAZ Approach
Influenza outbreaks have a major impact at global level, causing significant economic losses in the poultry sector. Moreover, the pervasive nature of influenza viruses across an expanding array of mammals, coupled with sporadic zoonotic transmissions, raises concerns about their potential to precipitate into a human influenza pandemic.
Influenza is an important focus of research within the STAR IDAZ IRC, driven by the urgency to expedite enhanced control measures for animal influenza outbreaks. The STAR IDAZ IRC has extensively worked to identify research gaps to highlight areas where research effort needs to be focused to accelerate the delivery of improved control methods for animal influenza outbreaks for the benefit of both human and animal health. See our research roadmaps below.
Information
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STAR IDAZ summer newsletter 2024
In response to the increasing outbreaks of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in mammals, STAR IDAZ partners have conducted extensive research and surveillance to enhance prevention and management of the outbreaks. For more information, see pg. 10-12
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WOAH epidemiological updates
Epidemiological updates from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on avian influenza
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Annual state-of-the-art report on animal health research on IRC priorities
A partial list of partner projects on influenza can be found in the STAR IDAZ annual state-of-the-art report
Working group
Influenza Working Group
STAR IDAZ engaged more than 60 international experts, including members of the OFFLU network, in a series of a workshops to identify research gaps and develop research roadmaps for influenza.
Key People
Munir Iqbal,
The Pirbright Institute United Kingdom
Timm Harder,
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Germany
Ann Cullinane,
Irish Equine Centre Ireland
Thijs Keiken,
Erasmus University Medical Center Netherlands
Zoltan Penzes,
Ceva Santé Animale Hungary
Kristen Van Reeth,
Ghent University Belgium
Marta Barral,
Basque Institute for Agricultural Research & Development (NEIKER) Spain
Dario Zammerini,
IDEXX Italy
Ian Brown,
The Pirbright Institute United Kingdom
Peter Wijnan,
Private Veterinarian Netherlands
Gwenaëlle Dauphin,
Ceva Santé Animale France
Mathias Voss,
Lohmann Breeders Germany
Ash Banyard,
Animal and Plant Health Agency United Kingdom
Paul Digard,
The Roslin Institute United Kingdom
Daniel Perez,
University of Georgia United States
Julie Gauthier,
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service United States
David Swayne,
Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory United States
Celia Abolnik,
University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science South Africa
Youn-Jeong Lee,
Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Republic of Korea
Carol Cardona,
University of Minnesota United States
Marie Culhane,
University of Minnesota United States
Alan Young,
Medgene United States
Taki Saito,
National Institute of Animal Health Japan
David Suarez,
Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory United States
Mustapha Oumouna,
Médéa University Algeria
Lia Rotherham,
ARC - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute South Africa
Carl Heeder,
Mountaire Farms United States
Folorunso Fasina ,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Kenya
Rafiqul Islam,
Bangladesh Agriculture University Bangladesh
Teguh Yodiantara Prajitno,
Animal Health and Livestock Equipment Indonesia
Guillermo Zavala,
Private Veterinarian United States
Gary Garcia,
University of Mexico Mexico
Khaled Hussein,
Almarai Company ® Saudi Arabia
Rabeh El-Shesheny,
Human Link Egypt
Erik Karlsson,
Institut Pasteur du Cambodge Cambodia
Manabu Nemoto,
Equine Research Institute Japan
Dilmara Reischak,
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Brazil
Louise Dufour-Zavala,
Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network Georgia
Samatha Letsholo,
Ministry of Agriculture Botswana
Kwang-Nyeong Lee,
Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Republic of Korea
Reports
Reports and outcomes from meetings and workshops
Research roadmaps and gap analyses
Gap analysis summary
To support long-term research planning, STAR IDAZ IRC commissioned an Animal Influenza Research Review in 2021, in collaboration with USDA-ARS. This review synthesised global research progress since previous gap analyses by USDA, OFFLU, the EC, and WHO. Its findings informed a gap analysis workshop co–organized with USDA-ARS and held in June 2022 at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. Expert insights, current research, and countermeasure efficacy were used to identify critical knowledge gaps. These gaps formed the basis for the 2023 research roadmaps.
Three online workshops held on 30–31 January and 1 February 2023 focused on finalising research roadmaps for control strategies, diagnostics, and vaccine development. These roadmaps aim to guide research efforts toward areas of greatest need, improving preparedness and response to future outbreaks. The executive summary of priority research needs reflects the consortium’s commitment to strategic influenza research.
Projects
Displaying 4 of 66 projects
VIEW ALL PROJECTSDevelopment of Vaccines for HPAI in Cattle, Turkey, Pigs, and Small Ruminants and Food Safety Studies Related to HPAI Virus in Food Products
Planned Completion date 25/08/2029
United States
Automated non-invasive Detection of Surface Contamination and Optimizing Surface Biofilm Removal Conditions in Large-Scale Food Processing Equipment
Planned Completion date 31/08/2028
United States
Development of Vaccines for HPAI in Pigs Related to HPAI Virus in Food Products (HPAI Tissue Distribution)
Planned Completion date 25/08/2029
United States
Development of Vaccines for HPAI in Pigs Related to HPAI Virus in Food Products (HPAI Natural Course of Disease)
Planned Completion date 25/08/2029
United States
Recent publications
Reports and outcomes from meetings and workshops
Detection of antibodies against influenza A viruses in cattle
Dairy cows inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1
Comprehensive Insights into Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in Dairy Cattle: Transmission Dynamics, Milk-Borne Risks, Public Health Implications …
Viral Mastitis Associated with Influenza A in Dairy Cattle