An integrative One Health network to monitor and characterize influenza A viruses circulating in the human and pig population

Lead applicant: PD Dr. Ronald Dijkman (Cluster: Microbiology)

Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK)

Co-Lead Applicant: Prof. Dr. med. Andri Rauch (Cluster: Microbiology)

Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital Bern

Co-Applicant: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Heiko Nathues (Cluster: Epidemiology)

Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty

Co-Applicant: Dr. Jenna Kelly (Cluster: Microbiology)

Recipient of MCID Career Development Grant

Institute of Virology and Immunology, Vetsuisse Faculty (IVI)

Co-Applicant: Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Latzin (Cluster: Neglected Diseases)

University Children's Hospital, Division of Pediiatric Pulmonology and Allergology

Co-Applicant: Prof. Dr. med. Manuela Funke-Chambour (Cluster: Patient-Focused Research)

Lung Cluster (DBMR) and Department of Pulmonology, Inselspital Bern

Co-Applicant: Prof. Dr. med. Gilles Wandeler (Cluster: Epidemiology)

Department of Infectious Disease, Inselspital Bern

Co-Applicant: Dr. med. Cédric Hirzel (Cluster: Immunity)

Department of Infectious Disease, Inselspital Bern

Co-Applicant: PD Dr. Franziska Suter-Riniker (Cluster: Microbiology)

Institute of Infectious Diseases (IFIK)

Influenza viruses can infect multiple species, including humans, pigs, and various domestic and wild birds. Pigs play a particularly important role in interspecies transmission since they can serve as “mixing vessels” for generation of novel pandemic influenza A viruses (IAV). Here, we will establish a Swiss pig cohort that includes healthy and sick pigs and farmers to identify, monitor, and characterize IAV circulating in the pig population. Along with data on human IAV cases in the community, we will use cutting-edge genomic, epidemiological, and microbiological approaches to investigate IAV evolution, transmission, and biological and clinical phenotypes in humans and pigs.

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