Project Number: 6612-32000-048-21
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Apr 26, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
1) To determine pathogenesis of aerosol exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses in a ferret model, and 2) to develop protocols and test the stability of HPAI viruses in different environments and conditions.

Approach:
Four pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAI) will be examined for potential to produce infection in ferrett model following aerosol exposure. The evaluation will include varying particle size for exposure and determine infection and pathogenicity by virus isolation, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The HPAI viruses will be studied under different temperatures and humidity conditions to determine environmental survivability.