2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Determine the transmission potential and infective dose needed for transmission of H5N1 HPAI virus to chickens and other agricultural animals through infected chicken meat. 2. Assess the suitability of ferrets and other animal models for human transmission of H5N1 HPAI virus through consumption of infected chicken meat. 3. Determine the transmission potential and infective dose needed for transmission of H5N1 HPAI virus through infected chicken meat to an animal model for human infection. 4. Determine if 4 additional HPAI viruses can be transmitted through infected chicken meat to chickens, ducks and an animal model for human infection. 5. Determine the transmission potential and infective dose needed for transmission of H5N1 HPAI virus to a mammalian model through aerosol exposure. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Five pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAI) will be examined for potential to produce systemic infection in chickens and ducks following intranasal inoculation. Meat from infected birds will be fed to naive chickens and ducks to determine the potential for transmission and infection. Various laboratory mammals will be studied to determine the most appropriate model for human H5N1 HPAI virus infections. This model will then be used to determine potential transmission through oral exposure by feeding infected poultry meat. Various laboratory mammals will be studied to determine the most appropriate model for human H5N1 HPAI virus infections. This model will then be used to determine potential transmission through aerosol exposure. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable cooperative agreement between ARS and the Department of Homeland Security. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS (6612-32000-048-00D), Application of Biological and Molecular Techniques to the Diagnosis and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Emerging Poultry Pathogens. The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been transmitted from poultry to humans causing infections, disease, and death. This study’s objective is to look at transmission potential of H5N1 HPAI virus through consumption of raw infected meat to different mammalian models of human infection. During 2007, the project examined the ability of 4 H5N1 HPAI viruses from Asia, representing four different virus genetic groups or clades, to produce experimental infection in pigs, ferrets, guinea pigs, and mice through intranasal or intragastric inoculation of virus or feeding of infected meat. Infection was more easily achieved through intranasal than intragastric inoculation but some virus strains produced death in ferrets and mice on intranasal and intragastric inoculation, with accompanying systemic virus infection. The most recent H5N1 strains grew better in pigs than the older strains but did not produce death. These data suggest H5N1 strain variation in the ability to infect different experimental models, but digestive tract exposure is less likely to produce infection than the respiratory exposure route. MONITORING: Progress was monitored by regular email communications, phone calls, and meetings.