Grant: Catalyst Grant: Avian Influenza OneHealth Research

Avian H5Nx viruses are subtypes of the influenza A virus, known as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) group, that primarily infects birds but can occasionally infect humans and other animals. The most well-known of these is H5N1, which has caused numerous outbreaks and has a high mortality rate in birds with the potential to infect humans and other mammals, often resulting in severe illness and high fatality rates. Other H5Nx variants, such as H5N2, H5N5, H5N6, and H5N8, have also emerged, causing similar concerns. Whether the current seasonal influenza vaccine, which is formulated with one influenza A(H1N1) virus, one influenza A(H3N2) virus, can provide some level of protection against the circulating avian H5N1, H5N2, or other H5Nx, is unclear. Here, we propose to establish a platform for the rapid genotype to phenotypic characterization of avian H5 and Nx from surveillance activity in domestic and wild animals, and for the evaluation of seasonal vaccination and candidate vaccines. Our team has expertise in HPAI, viral immunology, molecular virology, One Health, veterinary science and viral surveillance, genomic epidemiology, data science and machine learning. Together, our efforts will set a new standard for rapid, effective, and collaborative responses to emerging infectious diseases.