The overall aim of this proposal is to provide qualitative and quantitative data on transmission of avian influenza to humans in contact with infected animals, through an in-depth analysis of data collected during an outbreak of HPAI H7N7 in The Netherlands with novel virological and epidemiological tools. This data will be essential to design future control strategies including surveillance, early detection of potential pandemic strains, and evidence based infection prevention. In the project we propose the following lines of research: 1. provide better estimates for the extent of transmission of HPAI H7N7 to humans by developing improved methods for measurement of antibodies in humans following infection with non-human adapted avian influenza viruses. 2. providing estimates for the level of virus exposure of humans in direct contact with poultry during HPAI outbreaks on commercial poultry farms by studying the within herd dynamics of Al in poultry flocks. 3. using the combined data from research lines 1 and 2 to study which activities during culling operations are associated with increased risk of infection in humans 4. gain insight into the dose response relationship for human infection with an avian influenza virus to allow better prediction of the risks associated with specific activities (e.g. handling live birds, slaughtering, stable disinfection) ? 5. develop rapid methods for detection of (infection with) HPAI and specific virulence traits for human ? infection to be incorporated in enhanced surveillance for HPAI infections of humans during outbreaks. Avian influenza viruses can infect humans that become in contact with infected animals, especially birds. The greatest risk is that an avian influenza virus develops into a new pandemic flu strain. Through the work in this project we seek to understand exactly what happens when people come into contact with infected poultry, which types of activities form the greatest risks of getting infected. In order to do that, we will develop sensitive methods to detect infection of humans, also if they do not become ill, study how exactly the viruses behave in a poultry flock, and how that information can be used to determine when people have the greatest chance of becoming infected when they get into contact with these animals. We do this by studying data and samples collected during outbreaks of avian influenza in The Netherlands and China. ? ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Infectious Diseases (CID)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19CI000404-02
Application #
7287704
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCI1-FXR (12))
Program Officer
Messmer, Trudy
Project Start
2006-09-30
Project End
2009-09-29
Budget Start
2007-09-30
Budget End
2008-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$319,402
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute/ Public Health/Enviro
Department
Type
DUNS #
489655182
City
Bilthoven
State
Country
Netherlands
Zip Code
Jonges, Marcel; Bataille, Arnaud; Enserink, Remko et al. (2011) Comparative analysis of avian influenza virus diversity in poultry and humans during a highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H7N7) virus outbreak. J Virol 85:10598-604
te Beest, Dennis E; Hagenaars, Thomas J; Stegeman, J Arjan et al. (2011) Risk based culling for highly infectious diseases of livestock. Vet Res 42:81
te Beest, D E; Stegeman, J A; Mulder, Y M et al. (2011) Exposure of uninfected poultry farms to HPAI (H7N7) virus by professionals during outbreak control activities. Zoonoses Public Health 58:493-9
Bos, Marian E H; Te Beest, Dennis E; van Boven, Michiel et al. (2010) High probability of avian influenza virus (H7N7) transmission from poultry to humans active in disease control on infected farms. J Infect Dis 201:1390-6
te Beest, Dennis E; van Boven, Michiel; Bos, Marian E H et al. (2010) Effectiveness of personal protective equipment and oseltamivir prophylaxis during avian influenza A (H7N7) epidemic, the Netherlands, 2003. Emerg Infect Dis 16:1562-8