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

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59322-z
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Influenza Virus Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
9.48

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article

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

Andrew C. Singer, Wanwara Thuptimdang, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Asada Leelahavanichkul et al.
7 citations
Nature Communications
Influenza Virus Research Studies
9.48
article

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

Andrew C. Singer, Wanwara Thuptimdang, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Asada Leelahavanichkul, José O. Valdebenito, Puey Ounjai, Sam Trowsdale, Mohan Amarasiri, Jonas Bonnedahl, Asuka Nanbo, Longzhu Cui, Natharin Ngamwongsatit, Kazunari Sei, Talerngsak Kanjanabuch, Charin Modchang, Anthony Kicic, Parichart Hongsing, Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Cameron Hurst, Aisha Khatib, Stefan Fernandez, Thammakorn Saethang, Ratana Tacharoenmuang, Tanittha Chatsuwan, Ali Hosseini Rad S.M., Hitoshi Ishikawa, Sarath Vitharana, Daisuke Sano, Hiroshi Hamamoto, John Jefferson V. Besa, Shuichi Abe, Yangzhong Wang, Phitsanuruk Kanthawee, Porames Vatanaprasan, Angkana T. Huang, Kazuhiko Miyanaga, Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi, Kenji Shibuya, Paul G. Higgins, Takashi Furukawa, Dylan John Jay, W. K. C. P. Werawatte, Bernadina Cynthia, Sirirat Luk-in
article en
7 citations

Abstract

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.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
Linköping University (SE), Thammasat University (TH), Yamagata University (JP), Thai Red Cross Society (TH), Prince of Songkla University (TH), Jichi Medical University (JP), University of Auckland (NZ), Chulalongkorn University (TH), The University of Queensland (AU), University of Concepción (CL), The Kids Research Institute Australia (AU), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (LK), The University of Western Australia (AU), University of Cologne (DE), University of Toronto (CA), Kasetsart University (TH), Tohoku University (JP), Curtin University (AU), University of Cambridge (GB), Mahidol University (TH), Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (AU), Philippine General Hospital (PH), King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (TH), Sri Lanka Law College (LK), Mae Fah Luang University (TH), Mater Research (AU), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB), University of the Americas (CL), Catholic University of Madagascar (MG), Chulabhorn Hospital (TH), Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (TH), Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science (TH), National Department of Health (PG), German Center for Infection Research (DE), Centre of Excellence in Mathematics (TH), Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital (JP), Fuling Center Hospital of Chongqing (CN), Department of Medical Sciences (TH), National Institute of Health of Thailand (TH), Landstinget i Kalmar län (SE), Ramathibodi Hospital (TH), Kite (United States) (US), University Hospital Cologne (DE), Yamagata University Hospital (JP), Nagasaki University (JP), Perth Children's Hospital, Kitasato University (JP), University of Sheffield (GB), Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences (JP)
Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Thailand, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Influenza Virus Research Studies
9.48
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