Perform targeted research to better understand highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (hpaiv) introduction and transmission dynamics in large and small-scale poultry operations, and subsequently…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Colorado State University a cooperative agreement worth $1,985,504 on February 2, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

Colorado State University will conduct targeted laboratory research to characterize highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) introduction routes into poultry facilities and evaluate biosecurity strategies to prevent or mitigate transmission. Under Objective 1, the recipient will identify likely HPAIV introduction pathways, including biological introductions via wild birds, rodents, wild mammals, and domestic cats, as well as abiotic introductions through ventilation systems. Experiments will introduce infected animals to environments with naive poultry and measure cross-species transmission over time. Under Objective 2, the recipient will test novel biosecurity modifications to standard workflows and housing conditions in egg-laying and broiler facility models, evaluating their effectiveness in eliminating virus or curtailing transmission. All experiments will use currently circulating Clade 2.3.4.4B HPAIV under Animal Biosafety Level-3 containment. Viral isolation from animal and environmental samples will quantify HPAIV persistence and spread. Deliverables include peer-reviewed publications disseminating research findings.

Work is performed in Fort Collins, Colorado with a period of performance through February 1, 2029.

Perform targeted research to better understand highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (hpaiv) introduction and transmission dynamics in large and small-scale poultry operations, and subsequently evaluate strategies to improve biosecurity. To achieve this, we will conduct a series of laboratory experiments with currently circulating clade 2.3.4.4B of hpaiv under two objectives. Objective 1 will identify and characterize likely hpaiv introduction routes, including biological introductions by various wild and domestic animals typically present around poultry facilities, as well as abiotic introductions, including the role of ventilation systems. Objective 2 will evaluate biosecurity modifications aimed at either preventing hpaiv introduction events or to curb viral dissemination during outbreaks. All experiments will be performed in animal biosafety level-3 (absl-3) containment and will model the set-up and conditions present in standard EGG-laying and broiler facilities. Under objective 1, infected animals, including wild birds, rodents, wild mammals, and domestic cats will be introduced to environments with naive poultry, and transmission between species measured over time. Experiments performed under objective 2 will then modify standard workflows and housing conditions to test the viability of novel biosecurity strategies in eliminating virus or mitigating transmission to poultry. Viral isolation from both animal and environmental samples will be used to quantify hpaiv persistence and spread in all experiments. This project will address the knowledge gaps surrounding hpaiv introduction into poultry facilities, how subsequent viral dissemination occurs throughout a flock, and environmental persistence during and after outbreak events. Deliverables for both project objectives will include peer-reviewed publications that seek to disseminate new knowledge; these publications may influence future policy making, as well as help to establish new or improved biosecurity plans and standard operating procedures for poultry facilities. The results of this work will be primarily applicable to both broiler and EGG-laying chicken facilities in the united states; however, other facilities with similar ventilation and animal housing set-UPS, including those that raise turkeys will also benefit from these results. Intended beneficiaries of this work therefore include the USDA, american farmers, ranchers, and producers involved in both small and large-scale poultry production.