Pierre Bessière working in a lab
Pierre Bessière working in a lab

France – Understanding the virology of avian influenza to protect animals and humans

The Interfaces Chair studies the circulation of avian influenza viruses among wild and domestic birds and wild and domestic mammals, particularly cats.  It aims to better understand the risks of transmission and adaptation of these viruses to humans through innovative research and surveillance approaches. The goal is to detect influenza viruses earlier and limit the risks of transmission between animals and humans.

Project overview

Location: France 🇫🇷

Project Leader: Pierre Bessière  

Status: In progress   

Duration: 3 years - 2023 to 2026 

Partner: 

Logo.ENVT.2018.png
Joint Research Unit on Host-Pathogen Interactions (UMR IHAP)
INRAE & ENVT

Context


Against the backdrop of the growing emergence of infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses, the early detection and surveillance of viruses represent a major public health challenge. Avian influenza viruses are under particular surveillance due to their ability to cross the species barrier and adapt to new hosts, including mammals and potentially humans. 

The chair focuses on studying the interface between avian populations (wild and domestic) and carnivorous mammals, such as cats, which can act as intermediaries in these transmissions. This interface is now identified as a high-risk area for the emergence of new viral strains, which could trigger future public health crises.

Project challenges

 

  • Anticipating public health risks: early detection of emerging viruses to prevent public health crises, 
  • One Health: better understanding the interactions between animal, human, and environmental health, 
  • Zoonosis surveillance: Limiting the risk of virus transmission from animals to humans, 
  • Improving diagnostic tools: developing faster and more reliable methods that can be used in the field, 
  • Training and knowledge dissemination: preparing future veterinarians and researchers for the challenges posed by emerging diseases. 

Scientific issues


How can we better detect, characterize, and monitor avian influenza viruses at the interface between birds and mammals in order to anticipate their adaptation and limit the risk of transmission to humans? 

 

Project objectives

What the Project aims to demonstrate
 

Research 

The research projects will take a translational approach, bridging the gap between the research conducted at UMR IHAP and issues related to diagnosis and surveillance: 

- Prevalence and characterization of avian influenza viruses at the interface between wild bird populations, poultry farms, and wild and domestic carnivores, 

- Development and evaluation of innovative tools for these investigations in birds and mammals.  

 

Innovation & Transfer 

The implementation of diagnostic solutions in the field will take the form of collaborations with a network of organizations involved in diagnosis or surveillance.

 

Training & Communication 

Training will be developed for future veterinarians and researchers, both in France and internationally. 

Project implementation

Key milestones

12/2023

Signing of the partnership agreement

Results

Bessière, P., Brun, J., Hayes, B., Marchand, A., Lebouteiller, L., Soubies, S.-M., Cadiergues, M.-C., & Guérin, J.-L. (2025). Cats as sentinels of mammal exposure to H5Nx avian influenza viruses: A seroprevalence study, France, December 2023 to January 2025. Euro Surveillance: Bulletin Europeen Sur Les Maladies Transmissibles = European Communicable Disease Bulletin, 30(12), 2500189. 

 

Read more

 

Bessière, P., Hayes, B., Fusade-Boyer, M., Sécula, A., Rous, G., Brun, J., Marchand, A., Croville, G., Cadiergues, M.-C., & Guérin, J.-L. (2025). Seroprevalence and genetic diversity of feline immunodeficiency virus in outdoor cats in France. Veterinary Research, 57(1), 1–10. 

 

Read more 

 

Gaide, N., Bessière, P., & Guérin, J. (2025). Viral tropism is a cornerstone in the spread and spillover of avian influenza viruses. mBio, 16(8), e01690-25. 

 

Read more 

 

Gross, J., Pouget, B., Sarrat, M., Foret-Lucas, C., Soubies, S. M., Bleuart, C., Gaide, N., Volmer, R., & Bessière, P. (2026). In vivo inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling enhances high-pathogenicity influenza virus replication in ducks. The Journal of General Virology, 107(3), 002238

 

Read more 

Ceva WRF’s involvement

Our role in this Project
  

  • Financial support, 
  • Operational monitoring.

 

Glossary

Zoonoses are diseases or infections that are naturally transmitted between animals and humans. (Source: World Health Organisation) 

A concept recognized by the WHO*, FAO**, and WHOA***, which posits that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is inextricably linked and must be addressed in an integrated manner. 

*WHO: World Health Organisation
**FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
***WOAH : World Organisation for Animal Health


 

Prevalence is an epidemiological measure representing the proportion of individuals with a disease in a given population at a specific point in time or over a given period. (Source: World Health Organisation)