Project dates: 2006-2011

Context

The GRIPAVI project conducts ecological, epidemiological, virological and socio-economic studies to improve our understanding of the mechanisms and determinants of highly pathogenic avian diseases outbreaks in wild birds and poultry. It aims to improve prevention and management of health crises.

Two worldwide viral diseases are specifically targeted: avian influenza and Newcastle disease, the later being particularly frequent in Africa. In their highly pathogenic forms, both diseases show similar clinical signs, are highly contagious and cause heavy mortality in poultry populations.

Objectives

• To better understand the introduction, circulation and maintenance dynamics of avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses in wild and domestic bird populations in southern countries
• To contribute to risk assessment and optimization of monitoring and control tools
• To train and inform stakeholders and decision makers

Activities and Results

The project comprises 6 complementary study sites:

• 5 in the African continent: Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania, the Niger River delta in Mali, the Rift Valley in Ethiopia, the Lake Alaotra region in Madagascar and lakes Chivero and Manyome in Zimbabwe.
• 1 in Southeast Asia, in the Red River delta in Vietnam: intensive breeding systems and multi-species farms, endemic highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI H5N1, an active monitoring strategy and control by vaccination.

Some key outputs (Oct. 2011):

• 45,000 birds including 10,000 wild birds tested.
• 11 PhD theses, including six by students from southern countries.
• 30 Masters-level internships in the six partner countries.
• 15 field or laboratory training sessions.
• 30 scientific publications and another 20 currently submitted.
• 60 symposium papers.
• 6 national workshops and 2 international conferences.

Partners

In France:

• Cirad, Agricultural Research for Development 
• Inra, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA-CBP)
• OIE : Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale, France
• ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

In Vietnam:

• NIVR:National Institute of Veterinary Research – Vietnam
• NIAH : National Institute of Animal Husbandry, Vietnam
• IPSARD : Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam
• HAU : Hanoi Agricultural University, Vietnam

In Africa:

• ARC-OVI:Agricultural Research Council -Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa
• DVS: Department of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe
• DRZV-FOFIFA:Département de recherche Zootechniques et Vétérinaire, Madagascar
• NAHDIC:National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Ethiopia
• LCV:Laboratoire Central Vétérinaire, Mali
• CNERV:Centre national d’élevage et de recherche vétérinaire, Mauritania