Understanding the biosecurity risk posed by Australian-lineage H5 LPAIV and the potential genesis to highly pathogenic forms.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

  • Project code: PRO-017702

  • Project stage: Current

  • Project start date: Monday, June 17, 2024

  • Project completion date: Friday, December 17, 2027

  • National Priority: CME-Priority 2-Enhancing chicken biosecurity, health, and welfare

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Summary

Globally, H5N2 avian influenza viruses have caused numerous HPAIV outbreaks in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Europe, and are responsible for 57% of (non-Gs/Gd-lineage) H5 HPAIV outbreaks. Concerningly, almost every (non-Gs/Gd-lineage) H5 HPAIV outbreak since 1994 has been caused by the H5N2 subtype (7/8 outbreaks, 87.5%). H5 LPAIVs circulate in Australian wild birds and from 2006-2020, H5N2 and H5N3 LPAIVs were the most frequently detected H5 subtypes (Wille et al. 2022). It is vital to understand the biosecurity risk posed by H5N2 LPAIVs as studies overseas have demonstrated that this subtype consistently converts to highly pathogenic forms that are economically devastating to poultry producers.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Objective Summary

To determine the risk of Australian-lineage H5 LPAIVs converting into highly pathogenic forms, this project will:

Characterise the pathogenesis of wild-type Australian-lineage H5 LPAIVs in chickens. These studies will determine whether wild-type Australian-lineage H5 LPAIVs can productively replicate in chickens.

Perform deep sequencing of virally infected tissue samples to identify