UK Scientists Launch £2.3M Research Initiative to Understand Bird Flu Dynamics

In a substantial step towards combatting avian influenza, a consortium of UK scientists has initiated a £2.3 million research project to investigate the transmission and behavior of bird flu in wild birds and mammals.

The current H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has wreaked havoc across the UK, marking the largest outbreak in history and decimating wild bird populations.

The research consortium aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps regarding the transmission of avian flu among wild birds, as well as evaluating the potential risks to mammals. The HPAI strain’s recent emergence has resulted in widespread infection among bird populations and has also jumped to several species of wild mammals like otters and foxes in the UK.

To gather comprehensive data, scientists will conduct licensed sampling of various bird species to assess active infections and antibodies from prior exposures to avian influenza viruses. This research is crucial for understanding how native bird populations are responding immunologically to the virus.

The study will focus on both notifiable and non-notifiable viruses to understand the full spectrum of avian influenza viruses circulating in wild bird species. The investigation aims to uncover the origins and risks of emerging viruses, especially how genetic material exchange between different viruses can lead to new, potent strains.