Abstract Title
Experimental studies peridomestic mammals infected with clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1)
Abstract
Peridomestic wildlife, such as those species often found living within close proximity to humans or human modified habitats, have the potential to be involved in the epidemiology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) at the farm level, as many of these species have tendencies to visit farms and natural areas that could contain wild waterfowl. As such, we tested the ability of multiple peridomestic mammal species to replicate a highly pathogenic (HP) clade 2.3.4.4b AIV (H5N1). All tested species replicated and shed virus, at least to some degree. Of the three species evaluated to date, (striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and cottontails (Sylvilagus sp.)), striped skunks and Virginia opossums shed the highest viral titers. Recently, surveillance activities have resulted in HP AIV detections in wild mice sampled at or near animal production facilities in multiple U.S. states. As such, the results of planned projects associated with experimental challenge and transmission studies in wild mice will also be discussed.
Co-Author(s)
J. Jeffrey Root1, Stephanie M. Porter1, Julianna B. Lenoch2, Jeremy W. Ellis1, and Angela M. Bosco-Lauth3
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO
2U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO
3Colorado State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health