Determining the molecular basis of adaptation of influenza viruses from their natural reservoir to domestic poultry

Principal Investigator

Yohannes Berhane, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Year the work was done

2010-2013

Overall objective

  • To better understand how avian influenza virus has developed the ability to infect domestic poultry.

Outcomes

  • Many so-called “reassortment” viruses have been developed and are being characterized with respect to a number of biological properties including the ability to induce immune responses and cause disease in chickens.

Application

  • This research is part of an overall program to better understand the biology of avian influenza with the long-term goal of developing rational control strategies in domestic poultry.

This research applies to

Breeders, Broilers, Layers, Turkeys

This research was supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Poultry Research Council and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.