Avian influenza surveillance in Canada's great plains: connecting urban, agricultural and natural landscapes for early identification of influenza viruses in the central North American migratory bird flyway

The H5N1 bird flu, prevalent in wild birds worldwide, causes significant outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows. This virus poses serious risks to human health, food security, and wildlife conservation. Its circulation in mammals, such as cattle, increases the chance of adaptations that could eventually lead to human infections. Therefore, it is crucial to quickly identify outbreaks in cattle herds and potential infections in human populations. Wastewater-based surveillance, a cost-effective technique for disease monitoring, proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this project, we will adapt this method to investigate wastewater and water sources shared by livestock and wildlife for the presence and abundance of the bird flu virus. Our project aims to develop a comprehensive water and wastewater-based monitoring system to enhance surveillance and early detection of avian influenza at the interface of human, animal, and environmental systems. Furthermore, we will establish an effective communication and data-sharing framework between public health and agriculture sectors to enable swift responses to potential threats, safeguarding public health, agriculture, and food security.