H5N1 outbreak investigation and surveillance - Thailand
Alongkorn Amonsin, DVM, PhD
Co–Principal Investigator
Department of Veterinary Public Health
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences
Chulalongkorn University
Yong Poovorawan, MD
Co–Principal Investigator
Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University
- Aims: Evaluate the dynamics of influenza transmission and detect emerging viral strains with epidemic or pandemic potential in H5N1 outbreak areas or areas with significantly higher mortality rates among poultry in Thailand; develop a repository of characterized influenza viruses with a corresponding databank of all existing and emerging virus strains collected from H5N1 outbreak areas, surveillance sites, and other countries in Southeast Asia
- Approach: Review and analyze existing virologic and epidemiologic information and data-collection activities; conduct H5N1 outbreak surveillance in rural Thai villages and surrounding areas where outbreaks are reported; collect samples from village poultry, symptomatic and/or asymptomatic household members, swine, dogs, cats, and other species in accordance with Thailand Department of Livestock Development and/or other relevant international protocols; perform diagnostic tests on specimens for antibodies and antigens, isolate influenza viruses, and characterize selected viral isolates