This cooperative agreement aims to create and validate an innovative, plant-based aerosol therapy to mitigate the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry operations

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Purdue University a $2,255,472 cooperative agreement on February 2, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to create and validate a plant-based aerosol therapy for mitigating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) transmission in poultry operations.

The project centers on hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a natural compound with recognized antiviral properties, administered through a custom-designed fogging system for laboratory poultry settings. Purdue will design and build lab-scale fogger devices, conduct performance trials to refine aerosol delivery parameters, and perform in vitro and in vivo assessments to determine HCO's antiviral effectiveness against low and high pathogenic avian influenza strains under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions. Safety evaluations will incorporate air quality monitoring, toxicological risk assessments, and formulation of biosafety protocols. The project will conclude with knowledge transfer activities including development of standard operating procedures, training materials, peer-reviewed publications, and regulatory documentation for EPA submission.

Deliverables include validated fogger devices, efficacy data against HPAI, safety and risk assessment documents, regulatory paperwork, SOPs and biosafety protocols, and outreach materials for industry and academic partners. The anticipated outcome is a scalable, non-toxic antiviral solution to reduce mass depopulation during HPAI outbreaks.

Performance will occur in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a period of performance from February 2, 2026, through February 1, 2029. The Ohio State University serves as a sub-recipient, with sub-award agreements dated March 26, 2026, and July 27, 2026.

The initiative will concentrate on employing hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a natural compound recognized for its antiviral properties, administered via a custom-designed fogging system tailored for laboratory poultry settings. To accomplish this goal, the project will undertake a series of coordinated actions. These will involve designing and building lab-scale fogger devices, followed by performance trials to refine aerosol delivery parameters. In vitro and in vivo assessments will be performed to determine the antiviral effectiveness of HCO against various strains of avian influenza, both low and high pathogenic, under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions. Additional efforts will evaluate the safety of HCO exposure for poultry, incorporating air quality monitoring, toxicological risk assessments, and the formulation of biosafety protocols. The concluding phase will emphasize knowledge transfer, which will include the development of standard operating procedures (SOPS), training materials for stakeholders, and the publication of peer-reviewed articles. Deliverables from the project will consist of: (1) validated fogger devices for HCO aerosol delivery, (2) efficacy data against HPAI, (3) safety and risk assessment documents, (4) regulatory paperwork for EPA submission, (5) SOPS and biosafety protocols, and (6) outreach materials for industry and academic partners. Anticipated results include the establishment of a scalable, non-toxic antiviral solution that can be utilized during HPAI outbreaks, lessening the need for mass depopulation and bolstering the resilience of the poultry industry. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative will be commercial poultry producers, veterinarians, animal health regulators, and the wider agricultural biosecurity community. By offering a practical, science-driven intervention, the project aligns with USDA's one health objectives and fortifies national readiness against avian influenza outbreaks. Subrecipient efforts will include participation from entomol products LLC (in aerosol formulation and coordination), 1,4GROUP INC. (for device engineering and regulatory assistance), and ohio state university (focused on poultry health and welfare evaluation). These collaborators bring essential specialized expertise to ensure the project's successful implementation.