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Zoonotic Influenza Surveillance in Belgium

NCT05827601 · Status: UNKNOWN · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 200

Last updated 2023-09-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The project aims at implementing a more pro-active surveillance of potential transmission of influenza viruses to humans (zoonotic transmission). Clinical surveillance of influenza in humans and avian species is well organized and has been operating for decades, but currently there is no pro-active systematic surveillance of potential transmission of animal (avian or swine) influenza viruses to humans, only follow-up of people showing clinical symptoms. People working with potentially infected animals have the highest risk. Moreover, they can represent the first steps in a pandemic: if the virus adapts to humans, infected workers could potentially spread the virus to other people.

Currently, highly pathogenic clade2.3.4.4b H5 avian influenza viruses are continuously circulating in wild birds in Belgium and the number of introduction in poultry farms has raised, increasing the contact opportunities with high viral concentrations. Several reports of suspected human infection have been made by different countries. In addition, the virus was detected in sick non-human mammals. The large circulation in wild birds thus represents an increase risk of spill-over to mammalian species, including humans, (by contact directly with wild birds, or via outbreaks in poultry). This increased opportunity for accidental spillover to new host species increases the chances for the avian virus to adapt to mammals, including humans.

Likewise, there have also been an increased number of human cases of swine influenza reported by several European countries. A pro-active surveillance aiming at also detecting asymptomatic infections would allow an early detection of transmission that could help to prevent a new pandemic.

As a piloting approach during this specific project, some dedicated sentinel networks among at-risk workers will be initiated: people in poultry farms involved with the management of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza; people working at bird (or more generally wild life) rehabilitation centres or poultry farms; veterinarians working in pig farms/slaughterhouses.

Conditions

  • Influenza, Human

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

respiratory specimen

participants will perform self-sampling with a nasopharyngeal swab

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

serum

participants will be invited to get a blood sample taken by a general practitioner or to perform a self sampling of capillary blood

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sciensano

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Belgian Federal Public Service, Food Chain Safety and Environment

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • Cyril Barbezange

    lead OTHER_GOV

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-09-01
Primary Completion
2024-12-31
Completion
2024-12-31

Countries

  • Belgium

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05827601 on ClinicalTrials.gov