Integrating Earth observations and satellite telemetry of wild birds for decision support system of avian influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtypes) continues to persist in many countries in Asia (Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, China) and Africa (Egypt). The interplay between local persistence of HPAI in poultry and episodic long-distance dispersal by migratory wild birds may lead to an epidemic of continental significance. Reassortment among avian-, human- and swine influenza virus could potentially create hybrid virus with substantial virulence, which may pose serious threats to poultry production, wild birds and human health. Here we propose to integrate satellite telemetry of wild birds and Earth observations into the decision support system of avian influenza, the Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) for Priority Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The EMPRES Information System (EMPRES-i) has five modules: animal disease information, disease recognition, disease mapping, disease alerts, and tools for veterinary epidemiology. The satellite telemetry of wild birds) to track the dynamics of wild birds and environments (paddy rice, wetlands and climate) where domestic and wild animal hosts are likely to interact and EMPRES is part of the FAO/OIE/WHO Global Early Warning System for Transboundary and Zoonotic Diseases (GLEWS) and FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases. This feasibility study project will focus on wild bird migration, as wild birds are both victim and vector of avian influenza. We apply geospatial technology (e.g., satellite remote sensing, exchange pathogens, and to understand migration of wild birds, which will shed new insight on disease spread over long distances. This feasibility study project will provide updated and improved geospatial datasets (cropping intensity, paddy rice, wetlands, land surface temperature) and models into the EMPRES-i system to assess, forecast, and communicate risks of avian influenza; and the resultant “hot-spots” and “hot times” maps of avian influenza could be used in a timely fashion to support disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness plan and disease management and response. The project also educates and trains young scientists in the era of One World and One Health, including agro-ecology, wild bird biology, veterinary, epidemiology, public health, eco-informatics and geo-informatics.