The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a major operating component within the National Institute of Health, will become involved in aspects of research on highly pathogenic avian strain influenza (HPAI) strain H5N1 in livestock with specific reference to possible infection of workers on farms and in packing plants.  In the focus area of virus epidemiology and genomic surveillance, NIAID will support investigators examining the genomic sequences of field isolates and will post the results of molecular investigation on     GeneBank the NIH database of annotated gene sequences.

NIAID will support investigators in tracking pathogen evolution through Nextstrain, an open-source system to record phylogenetic analysis.

In the focus area dealing with the biology and pathogenicity of H5N1, the Institute will evaluate the sites of viral replication in cattle and determine the duration and organs associated with viral shedding.  NIAID will assist in understanding routes of transmission using animal models of specific importance to ascertain whether direct cow-to-cow transmission is taking place and whether virus can be transmitted to calves through contaminated milk.  The response of livestock to infection and vaccination will be studied including characterizing immune response with specific reference to prevention and treatment.

NIAID will support the development of vaccines against avian influenza and will support clinical trials.

In keeping with the One Health approach to a potentially zoonotic infection now present in  livestock, NIAID will investigate the efficacy of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and will consider pre-exposure prophylaxis that will be applied in the event of an emerging human infection.

NVSL, Ames, IA

The Diagnostic Development Service of the NIAID will support the development of diagnostic products and make available reagents for the manufacture of test kits.

It is evident that the resources of the Department of Heath and Human Resources (NIH and CDC) together with the USDA (NVSL, ARS and NBAF) will be involved at the Federal level and will interact with international agencies (WOAH, PAO and WHO) and state departments of agriculture and the network of accredited laboratories to develop an understanding of H5N1 infections and to develop appropriate control measures.