Testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses through a tribal health network in western Alaska
We acquired samples from birds in western Alaska in spring and fall to test for high and low pathogenic avian influenza from subsistence harvested migratory birds.Abstract
Nearly 60 rural communities and 25,000 residents (with most being Native Alaskans) reside within the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of western Alaska. Many of these residents rely solely or substantially upon local and wild natural resources for food. As a result, the health of the human population is integrally tied to the health of wild animal and plant species in this region. Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza began in November of 2014 in North America and continued through the summer of 2015. Research found evidence via genetic and migratory bird pathways that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses were introduced by wild birds through Alaska. This pathway has been demonstrated in previous USGS research using low pathogenic viruses as a model. These models predict that additional virus movement will continue between Alaska and Asia via migratory bird flyways and USGS concluded that western Alaska is a hotspot for introductions of Asian-origin viruses. This conclusion came out of a 4 year collaborative surveillance sampling effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the YKHC. In FY2015, we propose to acquire up to 1,000 samples in spring and fall of 2015 from the YKHC service area. This sampling will allow: (1) timely collection of an otherwise unavailable sample of wide spectrum avian influenza specimens; (2) an assessment of whether the highly pathogenic H5 virus strains are still circulating in wild birds, (3) an evaluation of how the virus has mutated since the last detections in the lower U.S., (4) an indication of where the virus may spread during the southerly, fall migration to the lower U.S (based on return migration patterns), and (5) an opportunity to inform the members of 58 rural communities about the work of the USGS and communicate with community members about wildlife and environmental health issues important to both those communities and the USGS.
Products
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Migratory Bird Avian Influenza Sampling; Yukon Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 2015 | Data |
| USGS Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska | Project Website |
Contacts
Ramey, Andrew M., 907-786-7174Reeves, Andrew , 907-786-7172
Status: completed
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2016
Project Sites
Location
Yukon Delta National Wildlife RefugeUSGS Mission Area and Program
Ecosystems → Wildlife ProgramMajor Initiatives
USGS - Wildlife Disease ProgramKeywords
Agriculture > Animal Science > Animal Diseases/Disorders/PestsBiological Classification > Animals/Vertebrates > Birds
Human Dimensions > Human Health