Explore the impact of novel, less explored, mechanisms of high pathogenicity avian influenza (hpai) a(H5) influenza virus transmission to commercial poultry

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc. a $1.943 million cooperative agreement on February 2, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to explore novel transmission mechanisms of high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5) to commercial poultry.

The recipient will conduct integrated field and laboratory studies with translational focus, deploying a multidisciplinary one-health team to investigate the role of insects and peridomestic terrestrial birds as sources of infectious H5 influenza viruses and to assess poultry susceptibility through ocular and airborne exposure routes. The research will generate critical information necessary for developing optimal biosecurity and control strategies in commercial poultry operations, benefiting poultry producers and regional and national agencies.

Work is performed in Memphis, Tennessee, with a period of performance through January 31, 2029. The cooperative agreement includes subawards to the University of Minnesota and Penn State University. Penn State's subaward, obligated June 24, 2026, focuses on evaluating the risk of barn-to-barn spread of influenza virus on infected poultry premises. Both sub-recipients bring collaborators with required expertise and access to commercial poultry and wildlife populations.

We will determine this impact by conducting integrated field and laboratory studies designed with a translational focus. The research will be conducted by a multidisciplinary one-health team with extensive expertise in research and response to influenza in poultry and wildlife. The project will deliver critical information on the role of insects and peridomestic terrestrial birds as sources of infectious a(H5) influenza viruses and on the susceptibility of poultry by ocular and airborne routes. The studies will provide valuable information necessary for the development of optimal biosecurity and other control strategies in commercial poultry operations. The intended beneficiaries of this research are poultry producers and regional and national agencies. The proposal will include subawards with the university of minnesota and penn state university who bring collaborators with the required expertise and access to commercial poultry and wildlife populations. The investigators on this proposal have a history of productive collaboration which will be further developed in this proposal.