Challenge       

Influenza A viruses, particularly those of avian origin, are capable of crossing species barriers and causing outbreaks in mammals, including humans. However, little is known about their historical or ongoing circulation in African wildlife, limiting global understanding of reservoirs, bridging hosts, and the ecology of spillover.

Solution 

This project conducts cross-species serological surveillance of avian and mammalian wildlife within Kruger and Etosha National Parks to determine past exposure to influenza A viruses. Sampling targets species at ecological and trophic interfaces, such as waterfowl, scavenging carnivores, and grazing ungulates, to reveal interspecies exposure patterns and identify potential viral maintenance hosts.

Impact      

By establishing a foundational understanding of influenza A virus ecology in key southern African ecosystems, this research supports both pandemic preparedness and local wildlife health management. The findings will inform bio-surveillance strategies, zoonotic risk assessment, and future virus discovery efforts, while promoting integration of wildlife into regional disease monitoring frameworks. This is essential in regions where biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods are closely interlinked.

Partners

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (Namibia)

Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist (State veterinarian, Kruger National Park)