Contagion Engineered Wildlife and Emerging Zoonotic Viruses

Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases pose a global threat to public health animal health and biodiversity. In this study we characterized Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) Paramyxoviruses and Coronaviruses circulating in wild birds and bats in Egypt based on collected samples. Bats and wild birds are known reservoirs for several high-risk viruses that impact public health. Wild birds in particular are significant hosts and carriers playing a major role in the spread spillover and evolution of AIVs due to their seasonal migration. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA and M genes of avian influenza viruses circulating in poultry and those detected in wild birds revealed a close relationship suggesting transmission from wild birds. The isolated H5N8 strains are identified as Egyptian strains. Similarly phylogenetic relatedness was observed in Paramyxoviruses (NDV) isolated from both poultry and wild birds further supporting the role of wildlife in virus transmission.