The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has identified several priority areas to focus Canada's support for science and research on challenges related to the prevention, detection, response and management of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in animals. These science and research priorities complement the knowledge gaps and research needs identified by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to address the human health risks of HPAI.
Any laboratories involved in testing or research and development activities that require working with samples of the HPAI virus must comply with biosafety, biocontainment and reporting requirements from the CFIA and PHAC. Find out more about these requirements in information for laboratories involved in avian influenza science and research.
Descriptions of science and research priorities
These science and research priorities are the focus of internal research at the CFIA and of collaborative projects with federal, provincial and territorial partners as well as academic researchers.
Biological characterization, genomics, immunology and virology
Increasing understanding of the biological characteristics (genomics, immunology, virology and pathogenesis) of HPAI A(H5Nx) viruses, particularly clade 2.3.4.4b in birds and non-human mammals (including cows, other ruminants, pigs, non-human primates and ferrets) will inform risk assessment and mitigation on disease transmission between animals, and from animals to humans. Specific science and research needs include:
- genomic analysis of HPAI A(H5Nx) viruses isolated from different species of birds and non-human mammals to identify genetic changes that might be associated with spill-over events to mammals
- investigating genetic changes that may contribute to increased viral fitness to adapt and spread within specific host and between different host species
- understanding avian influenza virus behaviour in different poultry species and wild birds, including breed-specific resistance to HPAI A(H5N1) and silent infections in broiler chickens
- identifying changes to the 2.3.4.4b clade of H5Nx viruses under various selective pressures
Diagnostics and testing
Improving the available range of diagnostic tests for HPAI would provide more suitable options for a broader range of species and test matrices (for example, environmental samples, milk and other food products). Specific science and research needs include:
- adapting diagnostic tests and validating serologic assays for new species (for example, cows)
- validating tests for different matrices
Epidemiology, risk assessment and modelling
Epidemiology, risk assessment and modelling can improve understanding of environmental persistence, natural immunity and transmission to mammals. This can help to reduce public health risks, safeguard domestic animal populations and support wildlife surveillance. Specific science and research needs include:
- using genome sequencing for risk assessment (for example, initial screening for mammalian adaptations)
- developing a machine-learning tool using artificial intelligence to facilitate decision-making during outbreak response, and to predict strains of H5Nx with pandemic potential
- completing risk assessment studies using different H5Nx viruses isolated from domestic poultry, companion animals and wild mammals
- supporting a One Health approach to risk assessment
- supporting wastewater surveillance projects
- developing geospatial flyway mapping at the genome level to better understand how the virus spreads and to inform future risk assessments
- completing epidemiological case-control studies for past and present avian influenza outbreaks in poultry
- reducing public health risks, safeguarding the poultry population and supporting wildlife surveillance
- enhancing data sharing, integration and visualization to support epidemiology and decision-making
If HPAI is detected in Canadian cattle herds, epidemiological studies in cattle will also be needed, including assessing sensitivity and specificity of tests.
Disinfection and environmental contamination
Additional research can improve understanding of the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection practices, and factors that contribute to environmental contamination and persistence in the environment (including removal of wildlife carcasses and on-farm methods of viral inactivation). Specific science and research needs include:
- determining factors influencing avian influenza virus load in poultry barns and other environments, and how that may impact CFIA disease control measures
- validating environmental testing for avian Influenza as part of cleaning and disinfection protocols and approvals
- determining disinfection efficacy and survivability of the avian influenza virus in animals and the environment (for example, after complete cleaning and disinfection, dry cleaning, composting and other interventions)
- this would include evaluating virus survival at various temperatures and the persistence of the virus on different barn surfaces and in various matrices such as feed, wild bird droppings, manure, slurry, aboveground composting piles and compost at various stages of biological heat treatment
- improving accuracy of diagnostic techniques for avian influenza, including environmental testing methods, and increasing the speed of results reporting
Interventions
Research can help to identify or expand evidence-based interventions, including humane depopulation, development of animal vaccines, differentiation of infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA), biosecurity and bio-exclusion. Specific science and research needs include:
- developing influenza A vaccines against HPAI A(H5N1) for use in animals, including domestic birds and cattle, and evaluating their safety, efficacy and conditions of use
- developing multi-species vaccines suitable for mass vaccination (for example, aerosolized, or for administration in feed or water)
- differentiating vaccine-derived positive test results from natural infection
- modelling various vaccine use scenarios and surveillance schemes (scenario tree model)
- completing socio-economic assessments and building policy support for vaccination
- identifying alternate methods for humane depopulation of large commercial flocks to address fluctuating carbon dioxide supplies
- expanding research in the areas of biocontainment, bio-exclusion and potential methods to prevent co-mingling of wild bird populations and poultry
More information
For more details on current and future research collaborations on HPAI, contact CFIA.AHSD-DSAA.ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.