Avian influenza in the context of a pandemic challenge
Estanislao Nistal-Villán 1, 2, Iván Sanz-Muñoz 3, 4, José M. Eirós 3, 4, 5, Adolfo García-Sastre 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
1 Microbiology Section, Dpto. CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain; 2 Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Spain; 3 National Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain; 4 Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León, ICSCYL, Soria, Spain; 5 Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain; 6 Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; 7 Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; 8 Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; 9 The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; ; 10 Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; ; 11 The Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
*Correspondence: Estanislao Nistal-Villán. Email: estanislao.nistalvillan@ceu.es
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) have undergone ecological and evolutionary shifts in recent years, broadening both their host range and geographic distribution. This manuscript explores the emergence and dissemination of HPAIVs, tracing their origins from wild waterfowl reservoirs to domestic poultry, and examining their increasing ability to infect mammalian species, including swine and humans. We detail the molecular transition insights from low pathogenic avian influenza to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) within poultry populations as drivers of adaptation and enhanced virulence. Key zoonotic episodes involving human and other hosts are reviewed, with attention to the role of viral reassortment and adaptation. Current risk assessments are analyzed, suggesting measures to mitigate the impact of HPAI from a One Health perspective, including public health interventions, coordinated international surveillance, early warning and containment systems, as well as prophylactic and therapeutic options.
