Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats

Abstract Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and...

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Main Authors: Hannah Klim, Timothy William, Jack Mellors, Caolann Brady, Giri S. Rajahram, Tock H. Chua, Helena Brazal Monzó, Jecelyn Leslie John, Kelly da Costa, Mohammad Saffree Jeffree, Nigel J. Temperton, Tom Tipton, Craig P. Thompson, Kamruddin Ahmed, Chris J. Drakeley, Miles W. Carroll, Kimberly M. Fornace
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-10-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53058-y
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author Hannah Klim
Timothy William
Jack Mellors
Caolann Brady
Giri S. Rajahram
Tock H. Chua
Helena Brazal Monzó
Jecelyn Leslie John
Kelly da Costa
Mohammad Saffree Jeffree
Nigel J. Temperton
Tom Tipton
Craig P. Thompson
Kamruddin Ahmed
Chris J. Drakeley
Miles W. Carroll
Kimberly M. Fornace
author_facet Hannah Klim
Timothy William
Jack Mellors
Caolann Brady
Giri S. Rajahram
Tock H. Chua
Helena Brazal Monzó
Jecelyn Leslie John
Kelly da Costa
Mohammad Saffree Jeffree
Nigel J. Temperton
Tom Tipton
Craig P. Thompson
Kamruddin Ahmed
Chris J. Drakeley
Miles W. Carroll
Kimberly M. Fornace
author_sort Hannah Klim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and migratory avian species transiting through the region. Recent deforestation in coastal habitats in Malaysian Borneo may increase the proximity between humans and migratory birds. We hypothesise that higher rates of human-animal contact, caused by this habitat destruction, will increase the likelihood of potential zoonotic spillover events. In 2015, an environmentally stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting geolocated questionnaire data in 10,100 individuals. A serological survey of these individuals reveals evidence of H5 neutralisation that persisted following depletion of seasonal H1/H3 HA binding antibodies from the plasma. The presence of these antibodies suggests that some individuals living near migratory sites may have been exposed to H5 HA. There is a spatial and environmental overlap between individuals displaying high H5 HA binding and the distribution of migratory birds. We have developed a novel surveillance approach including both spatial and serological data to detect potential spillover events, highlighting the urgent need to study cross-species pathogen transmission in migratory zones.
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spelling doaj-art-bd933e2d3cc94517949f10657ffb0d2d2025-08-20T02:17:47ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-10-0115111310.1038/s41467-024-53058-ySerological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitatsHannah Klim0Timothy William1Jack Mellors2Caolann Brady3Giri S. Rajahram4Tock H. Chua5Helena Brazal Monzó6Jecelyn Leslie John7Kelly da Costa8Mohammad Saffree Jeffree9Nigel J. Temperton10Tom Tipton11Craig P. Thompson12Kamruddin Ahmed13Chris J. Drakeley14Miles W. Carroll15Kimberly M. Fornace16Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of OxfordInfectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research UnitNuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of OxfordClinical Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth II HospitalFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia SabahFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineBorneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia SabahViral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and MedwayDepartment of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia SabahViral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and MedwayNuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of OxfordDivision of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of WarwickBorneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia SabahFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineNuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of OxfordFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineAbstract Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and migratory avian species transiting through the region. Recent deforestation in coastal habitats in Malaysian Borneo may increase the proximity between humans and migratory birds. We hypothesise that higher rates of human-animal contact, caused by this habitat destruction, will increase the likelihood of potential zoonotic spillover events. In 2015, an environmentally stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting geolocated questionnaire data in 10,100 individuals. A serological survey of these individuals reveals evidence of H5 neutralisation that persisted following depletion of seasonal H1/H3 HA binding antibodies from the plasma. The presence of these antibodies suggests that some individuals living near migratory sites may have been exposed to H5 HA. There is a spatial and environmental overlap between individuals displaying high H5 HA binding and the distribution of migratory birds. We have developed a novel surveillance approach including both spatial and serological data to detect potential spillover events, highlighting the urgent need to study cross-species pathogen transmission in migratory zones.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53058-y
spellingShingle Hannah Klim
Timothy William
Jack Mellors
Caolann Brady
Giri S. Rajahram
Tock H. Chua
Helena Brazal Monzó
Jecelyn Leslie John
Kelly da Costa
Mohammad Saffree Jeffree
Nigel J. Temperton
Tom Tipton
Craig P. Thompson
Kamruddin Ahmed
Chris J. Drakeley
Miles W. Carroll
Kimberly M. Fornace
Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
Nature Communications
title Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
title_full Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
title_fullStr Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
title_full_unstemmed Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
title_short Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
title_sort serological analysis in humans in malaysian borneo suggests prior exposure to h5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53058-y
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