Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers

Abstract Avian influenza (AIV) remains a global concern not only for humans as a pandemic threat but pose a risk to poultry, wildlife, and livestock. The detection of AIV in the environment traditionally has relied on reactive surveillance, limiting proactive response. This study assessed the detect...

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Main Authors: Madison T. Gouthro, Emalie K. Hayes, Taylor Prest, Graham A. Gagnon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Viruses
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-025-00141-w
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author Madison T. Gouthro
Emalie K. Hayes
Taylor Prest
Graham A. Gagnon
author_facet Madison T. Gouthro
Emalie K. Hayes
Taylor Prest
Graham A. Gagnon
author_sort Madison T. Gouthro
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Avian influenza (AIV) remains a global concern not only for humans as a pandemic threat but pose a risk to poultry, wildlife, and livestock. The detection of AIV in the environment traditionally has relied on reactive surveillance, limiting proactive response. This study assessed the detection of Pan-influenza A virus (Pan-FluA) and hemagglutinin subtype H5 genes in surface water using novel passive samplers and molecular analyses. Pan-FluA RNA was detected at concentrations from 2.1 × 105 to 5.6 × 1012 copies sampler−1 and H5 RNA at concentrations from 2.2 × 104 to 1.8 × 1011 copies sampler−1. Detections aligned with fall migration and waterfowl activity but also underscored the importance of monitoring interface zones influenced by wildlife, agriculture, and wastewater. Among other hemagglutinin subtypes detected, sequence analyses confirmed the presence of H5 lineages consistent with those reported for H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8. These findings ultimately demonstrate the potential of surface water surveillance as a scalable strategy for AIV detection.
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spelling doaj-art-90171c0dff294c5facfeea12ca1439e52025-08-20T03:42:40ZengNature Portfolionpj Viruses2948-17672025-07-01311710.1038/s44298-025-00141-wDetection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplersMadison T. Gouthro0Emalie K. Hayes1Taylor Prest2Graham A. Gagnon3Centre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie UniversityCentre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie UniversityCentre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie UniversityCentre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie UniversityAbstract Avian influenza (AIV) remains a global concern not only for humans as a pandemic threat but pose a risk to poultry, wildlife, and livestock. The detection of AIV in the environment traditionally has relied on reactive surveillance, limiting proactive response. This study assessed the detection of Pan-influenza A virus (Pan-FluA) and hemagglutinin subtype H5 genes in surface water using novel passive samplers and molecular analyses. Pan-FluA RNA was detected at concentrations from 2.1 × 105 to 5.6 × 1012 copies sampler−1 and H5 RNA at concentrations from 2.2 × 104 to 1.8 × 1011 copies sampler−1. Detections aligned with fall migration and waterfowl activity but also underscored the importance of monitoring interface zones influenced by wildlife, agriculture, and wastewater. Among other hemagglutinin subtypes detected, sequence analyses confirmed the presence of H5 lineages consistent with those reported for H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8. These findings ultimately demonstrate the potential of surface water surveillance as a scalable strategy for AIV detection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-025-00141-w
spellingShingle Madison T. Gouthro
Emalie K. Hayes
Taylor Prest
Graham A. Gagnon
Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
npj Viruses
title Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
title_full Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
title_fullStr Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
title_full_unstemmed Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
title_short Detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
title_sort detection of avian influenza virus in surface waters using passive samplers
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-025-00141-w
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