Assessing the impact of avian diseases of high concern in wild bird populations
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Department Name: School of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Seabird populations are experiencing significant declines, posing a threat to marine ecosystems where they serve as top trophic predators. As highly migratory species, seabirds can spread pathogens over large distances, potentially introducing zoonotic risks to humans. Studying the impact of avian diseases on these birds is crucial to understanding and mitigating these risks and enhancing our understanding of disease dynamics in long-lived species. The findings will be essential for seabird conservation strategies and public health risk assessments related to avian influenza. By integrating fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data modelling, the project aims to contribute significantly to the field of wildlife disease ecology and zoonotic disease prevention.
Research Interest and Knowledge Gaps:
The project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in seabird immunity, particularly understanding why certain individuals survive HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) infections while showing physiological changes. The study will explore the interactions between Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) and HPAI, investigating whether prior exposure to LPAI provides immunity or exacerbates the effects of HPAI, thus posing a greater threat to humans.
Key Research Questions:
1. Which seabird species are being exposed to HPAI and other avian diseases, and which are suffering from them?
2. Are there asymptomatic carriers among seabird populations, and what factors contribute to their resistance?
3. What roles do species characteristics, gender, geographical distribution, and co-infection play in HPAI susceptibility and resistance?
Research Methodology:
In the first year, the project will focus on basic epidemiology (identifying which species are exposed to and affected by HPAI and other diseases) and on investigating the impact of recent HPAI outbreaks on seabird populations, including their demographic structure and productivity/breeding success. This will employ a dataset of over 70 years of seabird life history data on the Isle of May, Scotland. It may also be possible to investigate whether early recruitment and other density-dependent factors mitigate increased mortality.
During the field season (April - June), I will collect swabs from uniquely marked seabirds on the Isle of May and test them for various disease antibodies using ELISA to investigate the immune responses of different species, particularly those that survive HPAI infections and then present with evidence of previous infection.
Research Interest and Knowledge Gaps:
The project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in seabird immunity, particularly understanding why certain individuals survive HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) infections while showing physiological changes. The study will explore the interactions between Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) and HPAI, investigating whether prior exposure to LPAI provides immunity or exacerbates the effects of HPAI, thus posing a greater threat to humans.
Key Research Questions:
1. Which seabird species are being exposed to HPAI and other avian diseases, and which are suffering from them?
2. Are there asymptomatic carriers among seabird populations, and what factors contribute to their resistance?
3. What roles do species characteristics, gender, geographical distribution, and co-infection play in HPAI susceptibility and resistance?
Research Methodology:
In the first year, the project will focus on basic epidemiology (identifying which species are exposed to and affected by HPAI and other diseases) and on investigating the impact of recent HPAI outbreaks on seabird populations, including their demographic structure and productivity/breeding success. This will employ a dataset of over 70 years of seabird life history data on the Isle of May, Scotland. It may also be possible to investigate whether early recruitment and other density-dependent factors mitigate increased mortality.
During the field season (April - June), I will collect swabs from uniquely marked seabirds on the Isle of May and test them for various disease antibodies using ELISA to investigate the immune responses of different species, particularly those that survive HPAI infections and then present with evidence of previous infection.
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