Event Details

PHO Rounds: Launching the Novel "Torpedo" Surveillance Method for Avian Influenza Viruses in Wetlands

Current methods used for sampling avian influenza viruses (AIVs) include sampling live or dead animals, which is limited by time, resources, and accessibility. This Public Health Ontario (PHO) Rounds will explore a study aimed at testing the efficacy of a novel environmental surveillance method for AIV in bodies of water, using a novel device termed “the torpedo”. The device is loaded with sorbent materials allowing for water sampling on immersion and towing from a watercraft.

About the Study: 

Swab samples from free-ranging waterfowl were collected in parallel with wetland water samples using the torpedo. In total, 200 swab samples and 72 torpedo sorbent material samples placed in 28 torpedoes were collected from six Ontario wetlands. AIV Viralribonucleic Acid (RNA) was detected in 32 swab samples and 16 sorbent materials from five torpedoes. Whole genome viral sequences were obtained from both swab and torpedo samples, and seven unique subtypes were detected. The torpedo sampling method is therefore capable of detecting AIV in a field setting.

Intended audience: Public health physicians, medical microbiologists, public health unit (PHU) staff working in infectious disease and surveillance, Medical Officers of Health (MOHs), Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOHs), researchers

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe basic avian influenza virus biology and its viral ecology
• Interpret the results of the study on the efficacy of a novel surveillance method for AIVs and the impact it can have on surveillance efforts in Ontario
• Identify risk factors for AIV infection in humans

Presenter(s): Dr. Samira Mubareka, Dr. Claire Jardine, Juliette Blais-Savoie

Dr. Samira Mubareka, MD, completed her medical degree at Dalhousie University and Internal Medicine training at McGill University in Canada. She specialized in infectious diseases and medical microbiology at the University of Manitoba and went on to a research fellowship at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City.

Samira is currently a Virologist, Medical Microbiologist and Infectious Disease Physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. She is currently focused on understanding the biology and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and on coronavirus and influenza virus zoonotic spillover.

Dr. Claire Jardine, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology and the Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for Ontario and Nunavut at the University of Guelph. Dr. Jardine completed her MSc in Ecology at the University of British Columbia, DVM at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and PhD at the University of Saskatchewan prior to her appointment at the University of Guelph. Dr. Jardine’s research focuses on wildlife health and disease, with a particular focus on investigating the ecology of multi-host pathogens in wildlife populations.

Juliette Blais-Savoie is a second-year graduate student at the University of Toronto’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Sunnybrook Research Institute supervised by Dr. Samira Mubareka and Dr. Nicole Mideo. Her research focuses on using viral genomics to study influenza A viruses with a primary focus on avian influenza viruses. In addition to avian influenza surveillance, she is also conducting studies on the evolution of human seasonal and avian influenza viruses through different propagation methods used for vaccine manufacturing.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.