Abstract Title
Across the river and thru the woods; surveying wild mammals in Ohio, USA for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses
Abstract
Since 2022 with the first detection of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in the United States infections have been confirmed in wild birds, commercial poultry, wild and domesticated small mammals, and multiple livestock species. Spill-over events from the natural reservoir into wild mammals have been documented across the U.S. in over 21 species, including but not limited to red fox, racoons, mink, and skunks. To better understand the extent and significance of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza A virus spillover into wild mammal populations in North America, surveillance efforts were initiated in Ohio, USA. Oral pharyngeal and nasal swabs were collected from wild caught mammals sharing habitats with large flocks of migrant waterfowl and tested via rRT-PCR for influenza A virus. In addition, testing is underway on sera collected from the animals to determine if they have antibodies to HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, indicating previous exposure. To date, 163 samples from black bear, brown bat, chipmunk, Eastern cottontail, Eastern gray squirrel, fox squirrel, mink, muskrat, raccoon, red squirrel, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, and woodchuck have been collected and tested negative. Continued sample collection is underway in various wildlife species to better define the role these animals play in the perpetuation of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in the United States. Increased understanding of the incidence of spill-over and viral adaptation into mammalian hosts could provide crucial evidence of establishment in mammals and a potential transmission route between wild birds and domesticated animals.
Co-Author(s)
Lauren Smith1, Madison Owsiany,1 Mohammad Jawad Jahid1 and Jacqueline M. Nolting1
1.The Ohio State University, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health