Grant: Catalyst Grant: Avian Influenza OneHealth Research

The Establishing a One Health sentinel cohort for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza project aims to deploy an integrated One Health surveillance cohort. This proof-of-a-concept aims to establish the feasibility and social acceptance of epidemiological surveillance mobilizing a broad spectrum of research fields, organizations and partners, primarily agricultural producers and workers. Project's specific objectives are to: 1) Estimate the prevalence of H5N1 antibodies in farm workers, cattles and cats on dairy and backyard farms in two administrative regions of Quebec; 2) Measure the association between geographical, socio-economic, behavioral and farm management factors and the prevalence of infection in different species and in humans, as well as the correlation of infection between species; 3) Assess the acceptability and the feasibility of setting up a One Health sentinel surveillance system for H5N1 and future emerging infections, in collaboration with Quebec farmers and their animals; 4) Determine the perception of risk, the acceptability of biosecurity measures and the intention to adopt preventive behaviors. Expected impacts will demonstrate the effectiveness of One Health sentinel surveillance for early detection of H5N1 transmissions and assess the acceptability of biosecurity measures and surveillance for farmers who are at the forefront of the prevention of zoonotic agents emergence. If conclusive, the project could be extended to other types of livestock, wildlife and elements of environmental health components; facilitate mobilization of sentinel farms to monitor symptoms, infectious agents or contaminants; facilitate the deployment of crisis-related research; deepen the interdisciplinary, inter-organizational and intersectoral collaboration required for integrated surveillance; and strengthen the trust between research, government authorities and producers needed for more effective control measures, in close partnership with the farming community.