Surveillance of avian influenza through bird guano in remote regions of the global south to uncover transmission dynamics

Wannigama, Dhammika Leshan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6316-1221; Amarasiri, Mohan; Phattharapornjaroen, Phatthranit; Hurst, Cameron; Modchang, Charin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0739-006X; Besa, John Jefferson V.; Miyanaga, Kazuhiko; Cui, Longzhu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8909-3885; Fernandez, Stefan; Huang, Angkana T.; Ounjai, Puey; Werawatte, W.K.C.P.; Rad S. M, Ali Hosseini; Vatanaprasan, Porames; Jay, Dylan John; Saethang, Thammakorn; Luk-in, Sirirat; Kanthawee, Phitsanuruk; Thuptimdang, Wanwara; Tacharoenmuang, Ratana; Cynthia, Bernadina; Vitharana, S.P.H. Spencer ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9424-451X; Ngamwongsatit, Natharin; Ishikawa, Hitoshi; Furukawa, Takashi; Wang, Yangzhong; Singer, Andrew C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4705-6063; Ragupathi, Naveen Kumar Devanga; Chatsuwan, Tanittha; Sei, Kazunari ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0684-6002; Nanbo, Asuka ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8764-1350; Leelahavanichkul, Asada; Kanjanabuch, Talerngsak; Hamamoto, Hiroshi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9315-7442; Higgins, Paul G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8677-9454; Sano, Daisuke ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8075-6972; Kicic, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0008-9733; Valdebenito, José O.; Bonnedahl, Jonas; Trowsdale, Sam; Hongsing, Parichart; Khatib, Aisha; Shibuya, Kenji ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2528-7530; Abe, Shuichi. 2025 Surveillance of avian influenza through bird guano in remote regions of the global south to uncover transmission dynamics. Nature Communications, 16, 4900. 10.1038/s41467-025-59322-z

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Abstract/Summary

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a growing global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where limited surveillance capacity and under-resourced healthcare systems hinder timely detection and response. Migratory birds play a significant role in the transboundary spread of AIVs, yet data from key regions along migratory flyways remain sparse. To address these surveillance gaps, we conducted a study between December 2021 and February 2023 using fresh bird guano collected across 10 countries in the Global South. Here, we show that remote, uninhabited regions in previously unsampled areas harbor a high diversity of AIV strains, with H5N1 emerging as the most prevalent. Some of these H5N1 samples also carry mutations that may make them less responsive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir. Our findings documented the presence of AIVs in several underrepresented regions and highlighted critical transmission hotspots where viral evolution may be accelerating. These results underscore the urgent need for geographically targeted surveillance to detect emerging variants, inform public health interventions, and reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1038/s41467-025-59322-z
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Environmental Pressures and Responses (2025-)
ISSN:	2041-1723
Additional Information:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	animal migration, epidemiology, influenza virus, microbial ecology, viral infection
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Zoology
Date made live:	17 Jun 2025 13:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539608

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