Highly pathogenic avian influenza is the most consequential disease threatening animal and human health worldwide. The U.S has been facing a devastating panzootic of HPAI that began in late 2022 and has affected over 100 million birds in 48 states, standing out as the most significant animal disease event in the history of the country. Notably, the virus has recently spilled over into dairy cattle resulting in severe viral mastitis and causing major economic losses to producers; heightening public health concerns, given the high levels of virus shedding in milk and the potential for its adaptation in mammals, which could increase its potential for zoonotic spillover. Therefore, there is a critical and urgent need to develop improved countermeasures that will enable effective prevention and control of HPAI in dairy cattle.

The overall goal of the proposed project here is to develop novel tools to prevent, contain and diagnose HPAIV in cattle. The objectives of the study are:

1. To identify highly immunogenic vectored vaccine platform(s) for influenza A H5N1 and validate companion DIVA diagnostics for use in cattle.
2. To determine the protective efficacy of vectored HPAI H5N1 vaccine candidate in dairy cattle.

The objectives of the proposed study are directly aligned to the program area of Diseases of Agricultural Animals (Priority code A1221). Successful completion of the proposed study will lead to enhanced disease prevention and control through novel vaccine platforms and critical companion diagnostics for HPAIV, the biggest threat to the U.S. agricultural production and food supply systems.