Surveillance, detection, and environmental drivers of avian influenza-like viruses in African birds

Avian influenza is highly contagious, and if it spills over into human populations, could cause future influenza pandemics. When poultry are infected, the animals should be housed under strict biosecurity measures to prevent direct or indirect contact with wild birds. This project will assess how management of infectious diseases in poultry could impact conservation zones. More specifically, the spread and transmission patterns of avian influenza-like diseases that spill over from domestic animals, such as poultry, to populations of African penguins and other seabirds will be studied. In addition, an affordable and quick diagnostic test to test seabirds for the presence of avian influenza viruses will be develop. There is currently no diagnostic test available to survey seabird populations for avian influenza-like viruses. This will transform the management of disease outbreaks, policy development and enhance biodiversity conversation. The work will be divided into three Work Packages (WP), each resulting in at least one scientific paper/thesis chapter.