Understanding Bird Flu Prevalence and Exposure Risk to Southern African Vultures

SUMMARY: Researchers will implement a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (bird flu) surveillance program in Africa in collaboration with the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, one of the top vulture health and conservation leaders.

THE PROBLEM: More than 70% of vulture species are now threatened or endangered. Among the many threats old-world vultures face is the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Of equal concern are vultures that migrate between Europe and Africa, which may spread HPAI over long distances to other species; these vultures can fly over 100 miles per day during migration. Testing for bird flu is extremely important for stopping its spread by birds like vultures, but few resources exist for this work in some places that need it most. This disease is particularly concerning and desperately under-researched.

THE PROJECT: To fill this knowledge gap, researchers will study avian influenza in old-world vultures to learn how many of these birds are infected, where they get it, and how it impacts their populations. The team will test for HPAI in individual vultures and monitor their nests and reproduction. They will study their diet and follow their movements using GPS to understand where the vultures get the disease. The team will work with the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, which has been working in Zimbabwe for over a decade with local communities to protect habitats, manage wildlife, and improve animal health in the region.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: Vultures are vital to the environment; these birds remove dead animals, help prevent diseases and balance nutrients and other scavengers. As such, protecting vulture species from extinction in Africa and worldwide is equally essential for human health as it is for animal health to keep nature’s balance in check.

The new data generated from this study will support vulture health and conservation efforts and enhance our understanding and response to the emerging bird flu crisis in southern Africa.