Project Number: 3625-32000-088-17
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Dec 15, 2006
End Date: Jun 15, 2008

Objective:
Determine the diagnostic feasibility of using chickens as a sentinel to detect infection of swine with selected avian influenza virus subtypes. Develop an ELISA test that can detect seroconversion in swine to an avian influenza virus H5 subtype.

Approach:
Indirect transmission studies will involve naive chickens co-housed in the same isolation room with pigs infected with select high-pathogenic avian influenza virus. An ELISA will be developed utilizing whole virus antigen that is inactivated.