2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative reearch project is to jointly study avian influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease) of poultry and wild birds that potentially can cross between birds and humans. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The tasks to be performed will include collection and analysis of field samples (cloacal/tracheal swabs, sera and organ samples) obtained from apparently healthy and diseased animals. Viruses will be isolated in cell cultures and embryonating chicken eggs. Antigenic and serological studies as well as molecular-epidemiological evaluation of newly isolated influenza and Newcastle disease virus strains will be done. Genomic analysis of influenza and Newcastle disease viruses isolates will include sequencing (full length or partial) of surface glycoproteins and internal genes and phylogenetic studies. 3.Progress Report This research relates to inhouse objective 4: Use molecular epidemiologic techniques and viral genomics to understand virus transmission and spread of AI outbreaks in poultry and wild birds. Some strains of avian influenza virus have been zoonotic agents necessitating joint research between veterinary medicine and human health to solve the problems including the H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus. The objective of this cooperative research project is to jointly study avian influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease) of poultry and wild birds that potential can cross between birds and humans. During 2010, one face-to-face planning sessions was held between ARS and the Cooperator at the Cooperator’s laboratory in Novosibirsk, Russia. The Cooperator conducted a preliminary study in catching and housing wild ducks for a future pathogenesis. The study demonstrated the ability to maintain the wild ducks in laboratory setting with ill effects to the birds. A collaborative surveillance study for avian influenza viruses in Ukraine was completed and several low pathogenic avian influenza viruses were isolated and characterized, but no highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses were isolated in the 3 year study. Progress was monitored via email conversations with the cooperator. One face-to-face meeting occurred in 2010.