Transmission pathways of aquatic bird bornavirus for poultry species

Lead Applicant: Leonardo Susta

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2021/2022

Research Centre: Ponsonby General Animal Facility

Research Summary: Aquatic bird bornavirus (ABBV) is associated with causing neurological disease in wild waterfowl, however, recent research from the University of Guelph has shown that it can also infect, in an unknown capacity, chickens and Muscovy ducks, proving a risk to Ontario's agri-food sector. This work will investigate ABBV dissemination pathways in Pekin ducks and Canada geese as a model to commercially raised ducks and chickens in order to inform mitigation strategies for this emerging pathogen.