Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to assess of influenza A virus deposition and viability in simulated and non-simulated wetland environments.    The maintenance of infectious influenza A viruses (IAVs) in North American wetlands may influence the indirect transmission of viruses among wild birds and subsequent dispersal through space and time.  Recent research provides evidence that IAVs may remain infectious in northern North American wetlands for extended periods, potentially seeding outbreaks in wild birds across seasons or in poultry after migratory birds have departed from wintering areas.  As such, research to understand the persistence of infectious IAVs in the environment has been identified as a priority for improving epidemiological models of transmission.  In this study, we propose to develop new laboratory models and to conduct a series of experiments to assess IAV deposition and viability in simulated wetland environments. This project is envisioned to inform future field experiments and to provide information with relevant to management to mitigate effects of future outbreaks caused by highly pathogenic IAVs.