Study aims to address the growing threat posed by avian influenza A viruses
A new 3-year international research project has been launched to address the escalating global threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (HPAIv). It will focus on the H5 subtype, and will bring together 4 leading European partners, led by the University of Copenhagen and including The Pirbright Institute.
Since 2022, H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have become panzootic, dramatically expanding their geographic reach and host range. Responsible for widespread outbreaks in wild birds and poultry, the viruses cause mass mortality, severe economic losses, and increased concern over spillover into mammalian species, including livestock, and potentially humans.
Vaccination strategies
Professor Ian Brown, project lead and group leader in avian virology at The Pirbright Institute, said current threat levels in both the UK and Europe were high and the possibility of spread to livestock species such as dairy cattle and pigs could not be excluded.
He noted: “Our work will focus on evaluating vaccination strategies as emergency interventions and assessing immune responses to inform the future use of available vaccines.”
Bird flu in mammals
Infections in mammals are of particular concern, as each spillover event provides opportunities for viral adaptation, potentially increasing zoonotic risk. The list of mammalian hosts infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to grow, with suspected cases of mammal-to-mammal transmission reported. Recent H5 outbreaks in United States dairy cattle have highlighted new reservoirs in livestock populations.
The project brings together Professor Lars Erik Larsen, University of Copenhagen; Drs Laurence Finot and Delphine Payros, INRAE – the National Research Centre for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France, and Professor Dr Martin Schwemmle, from the University of Freiberg, Germany.
Professor Larsen, head of the enzootic/zoonotic virus research group at the University of Copenhagen, said: “We have produced significant work in diagnostics, vaccine innovation, and understanding virus transmission, including insights into H5N1 avian flu in cows.”
Viral genetics, host susceptibility, and immune/vaccination strategies
The project is structured around 3 interconnected work packages:
- Viral genetics and molecular characterisation – Researchers will analyse H5 HPAIV in molecular detail using in vitro assays to identify key genetic markers, validated and further studied using reverse genetics.
- Mammalian host susceptibility – Focusing on cattle and pigs, this work package investigates viral replication sites, including mammary glands of lactating cows. Advanced histopathology and transcriptomic approaches will be applied to infected tissues and mammary gland organoids.
- Immune responses and vaccination strategies – This package examines antibody-mediated immune responses in livestock and assesses innovative vaccination platforms, including mRNA, viral vectors, and subunit vaccines. All approaches will be compatible with DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) strategies and will consider multiple H5 antigens to enhance broad, cross-species protection.
Researchers will also explore different routes of immunisation to optimise protective immune responses in cattle udders and pig respiratory systems, using state-of-the-art immunological tools. Extensive analysis of both systemic and local immune responses will be led by a multidisciplinary expert team, including specialists in cattle and swine immunology and vaccine escape mechanisms.
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