Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to threaten poultry health, food security, and farm sustainability in the united states

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Trustees of Indiana University a $2,015,659 Cooperative Agreement on February 2, 2026, to develop and validate ultraviolet-C (UVC) light technologies as a biosecurity intervention against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial egg-laying operations. This award funds research under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The project targets three primary HPAI transmission routes in poultry facilities: airborne virus via ventilation systems, contaminated surfaces, and contaminated water sources. Indiana University will lead the effort to evaluate multiple UVC light sources—including low-pressure mercury lamps (253.7 nanometers), UVC-LEDs (235, 255, and 280 nanometers), and far-UVC excimer lamps (222 nanometers)—for disinfection efficacy against HPAI and surrogate viruses. The project will establish UVC dose thresholds needed for 99 percent and 99.99 percent inactivation in water, air, and on surfaces. A fifth objective will employ artificial intelligence and machine learning to model optimal deployment strategies and dose requirements. Deliverables include technical guidance, validated disinfection protocols, and training materials for farm operators and extension agents.

Performance period runs through January 31, 2029, with work conducted in Indiana. Michigan State University will lead experimental investigations on airborne virus inactivation using bench-scale and room-scale environmental chambers, complemented by field measurements from poultry farms to characterize real-world environmental conditions affecting UVC efficacy. The University of Colorado Boulder will coordinate bench-scale UV disinfection testing, establish standardized testing protocols across participating laboratories, and perform UVC testing on various bacteriophages and surfaces relevant to poultry applications, with support for field deployment design and industrial partnership coordination.

This project proposes the development and validation of ultraviolet-C (UVC) light technologies as a science-based, cost-effective intervention to improve biosecurity in commercial EGG-laying operations and mitigate the risk of HPAI contamination. The project targets three primary transmission routes through which HPAI can enter poultry farms: (1) airborne virus via ventilation and circulation systems, (2) contaminated surfaces near or within poultry facilities, and (3) contaminated water sources. These pathways reflect common mechanisms of HPAI introduction via aerosolized particles, ingestion, or contact with infected wild birds or feces. Objective 1 will evaluate the disinfection efficacy of multiple UVC light sources, including low-pressure mercury lamps (253.7 NM), UVC-leds (235, 255, and 280 NM), and far-UVC excimer lamps (222 NM), against HPAI, influenza a H1N1, and surrogate virus PHI6. Objective 2 focuses on UVC treatment of groundwater to prevent virus ingestion. Objective 3 targets air disinfection through UVC integration in ventilation systems. Objective 4 addresses surface disinfection using far-UVC during routine operations. Objective 5 will employ artificial intelligence and machine learning to model optimal deployment strategies, dose requirements, and risk reduction under varying environmental and operational conditions. The project will define UVC dose thresholds needed for 99% and 99.99% inactivation of avian influenza viruses in water, air, and on surfaces. Outcomes will include technical guidance, validated disinfection protocols, and hands-on training materials for farm operators and extension agents. These deliverables will facilitate the widespread adoption of UVC technology as part of a comprehensive biosecurity strategy. Indiana's poultry sector, with 37 million layers and a $1.8 billion annual economic impact, will serve as a testbed and primary beneficiary. The project team includes experts in UVC disinfection (professor karl linden, university of colorado) and viral aerosol transmission (professor kaisen LIN, michigan state university), ensuring scientific rigor and cross-disciplinary integration. This project directly supports USDA priorities in animal health, agricultural biosecurity, and resilient food production systems.