Animal Influenza Ecology and Epidemiology Research Program (AIEERP)
Vision:
Prevent influenza A outbreaks, epidemics, and/or pandemics in all species, including humans.
Mission:
Serve as a collaborative leader defining the natural history of influenza A viruses and developing preventive strategies to protect animal and public health.
Goals:
- Reduce viral sources associated with the emergence of novel influenza A viruses through surveillance and ecology and epidemiology research efforts in: (1) wild waterfowl (the natural reservoir host) within the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Migratory Bird Flyways; (2) captive birds and avian transition hosts; and (3) the swine-human interface in commercial settings and agricultural fairs/exhibitions.
- Identify risk factors and criteria for intra- and inter-species transmission.
- Utilize virus recovery, viral genomics, host ecology, and metadata to better understand the natural history of type A influenza viruses.
