UK study finds some species of seabirds are showing signs of developing immunity to avian influenza

• Scientists have discovered Northern Gannets and Shag are showing signs of developing immunity to avian influenza in research published today.
• The top scientific research consortium has secured £3.3 million additional funding for further research into avian influenza transmission due to continued risk of spread of disease
• New research will explore the evolution of the virus and the ability to predict new strains, protecting both animal and human health.  

As part of a major research consortium announced last June, the UK’s top scientists have discovered that some seabirds are demonstrating immunity to avian influenza.  

The eight-strong FluMap consortium, headed by the world-leading research team at the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA), has developed laboratory tools that can dissect the immune response in birds that have been exposed to avian influenza viruses in their lifetime. 

Preliminary investigations in a small sample size of some species of seabird, including Northern gannets and Shag, revealed specific immunity to H5N1 showing exposure and recovery in a proportion of birds. However, avian influenza viruses are prone to change and so antibody levels will likely decline over time with next year’s offspring not guaranteed to be immune suggesting there are no great population level benefits yet.  

Scientists hope to look at the effect of antibodies on infection, to better predict the emergence of new viruses with different protein combinations in the future, allowing experts to stay one step ahead to safeguard animal and human health, given 60% of new human diseases originate in animals. 

High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) is a significant burden on animal health globally and threatens human health, with over 350 infected UK premises detected between 2020 and 2023. Wild bird populations have also suffered significant mortalities across multiple species and wild mammals that have scavenged dead bird carcasses have also been infected.  

The consortium has also identified several genetic characteristics that explain the ability of the current H5N1 viruses to spread fast and infect a greater range of species. Research has found that multiple virus genes have switched and evolved to act together to enhance fitness to infect, transmit and persist in birds, but remain un-adapted to humans.   

The consortium has mapped the spread of infection over time and made important discoveries regarding airborne transmission of the virus – determining that infectious virus can only travel short distances (less than 10 metres) and is very unlikely between farms through the air.   

To further our understanding of this terrible disease, including to study immunity in a range of wild birds, an additional £3.3 million from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Tackling Infections programme and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been granted.  

A further £3.2 million has also been allocated for a sister consortium, focussing on the potential for human transmission. Partners from both consortia will work closely together in a One Health approach. A joined-up ‘One Health’ approach aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and the environment, recognising that these things are interdependent. This research will allow for better understanding of the potential impacts of animal-human-environment avian influenza interactions. Cross government community collaboration is key in effectively responding to and preparing for evolving threats like avian influenza.

 Professor Ian Brown, APHA’s Director of Scientific Services and project manager, said:     

“APHA has led this consortium of the greatest minds from eight world-leading British institutions to address gaps in our understanding of avian influenza and I am excited that we have already made some important discoveries, particularly around the genetic makeup of avian influenza viruses.    

“I am pleased that with further funding this work can continue - helping us to control the spread of the disease while furthering UK animal health science and ensuring we maintain our world-leading reputation in the field.”  

UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:  

“I am delighted this research project has received further funding. Bringing together all our national experts increases the speed and quality of our understanding of avian influenza and how it behaves in the UK.  

“This critical research will aid our development of further strategies to protect our birds and minimise the impact of this dreadful disease.”

Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon said:

“Bird flu has been devastating on kept and wild birds. This has caused an emotional and financial toll on bird keepers and those who love our wildlife. 

“That is why we are continuing to invest in world leading science to improve our understanding of this disease and inform future ways to prevent and control it."  

Professor Guy Poppy, interim Executive Chair at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and UKRI’s Tackling Infections programme lead, said: 

“In the face of a relentless challenge, the UK research community in collaboration with government has demonstrated its agility in responding to emerging threats and diseases. 

“The latest funding for the avian influenza research consortium signifies our collective commitment across research disciplines and government departments to coordinate a world-class response that helps safeguard animal and human health. 

“This investment is testament to the UK’s determination to stay ahead of avian influenza and underscores the importance of collaboration in the face of evolving threats.”   

The new funding will respond to the evolving nature of avian influenza and further our understanding of:   

• transmission and infection in different bird populations, including how the virus transmits from wild birds to farmed poultry
• the gaps in biosecurity that allow the virus to penetrate premises, and how this could be addressed
• the role of immunity in wild birds in the evolution of the virus 
• how the implementation of vaccination might impact outbreaks 

UK researchers are already world leaders in studying avian influenza, with the APHA hosting an International Reference Laboratory which conducts analysis on global samples, provides expert advice and rapidly shares the latest information internationally on outbreaks. The knowledge gathered will also be shared with international partners to aid their efforts to tackle the disease with benefits for global risk mitigation.   

Further information:

• The research will be published at 9am tomorrow morning and will be available here: https://science.vla.gov.uk/flu-lab-net/
• With seabirds that have expressed presence of antibodies it remains unclear as to what other long-term effects these birds may experience in terms of reduced life expectancy or lower fertility.
• We are doing all we can to tackle the spread in wild birds, with year-round surveillance, research consortia – to develop new strategies to tackle avian influenza outbreaks, and working closely and meeting regularly with conservation charities, including the WWT, National Trust and RSPB, to consider any further action we can take.  
• Defra and the Welsh Government commissioned JNCC to establish an Avian Influenza Wild Bird Recovery Advisory Group. The group collaborates with the NatureScot Avian Influenza Task Force for Scotland and is gathering information from conservation, land management and wildlife disease experts from a range of organisations to assess what further conservation and monitoring actions can be implemented with respect to wild birds.
• Natural England is working closely with RSPB on a project to collect and analyse data from seabird colonies in England to help inform our understanding of the factors affecting transmission of HPAI in breeding seabirds and effectively manage impacted sites. In addition, funding has been provided to install mitigation measures at priority sites including the establishment of additional breeding sites for terns (new islands or tern rafts), equipment to assist with monitoring and to ensure sites are prepared to deal with mass mortalities.
• Consortium members include: APHA, The Pirbright Institute, the Royal Veterinary College, the Roslin Institute, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Leeds, and the University of Nottingham. Their researchers bring together expertise across many areas including microbiologists, epidemiologists, virologists, genomics specialists, mathematical modelers, and those translating science evidence into formats that can be used by policymakers.
• The £3.3 million is allocated over 17 months. .
• Tackling Infections is one of UKRI’s five strategic themes. This project is one of a number of investments currently underway to investigate and better manage future infectious disease threats.