PROJECT

Surveillance of Zoonotic Respiratory Viral Infections in animal farms from Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu: A model project with a focus on One Health approach

February 2024 - February 2027

Objectives:

To establish a surveillance system for zoonotic respiratory viral infections among farm animals, animal handlers, and the farm environment for early detection of emerging and re-emerging respiratory viral infections. To identify the zoonotic respiratory viruses circulating among farm animals, animal handlers and the environment in the given area, and to study the effect on climate on the emergence, transmission and outcome of viral infections.

Study Overview:

One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach to achieving optimal health outcomes, recognising the interconnections among people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. The current model project envisages establishing a surveillance system to detect zoonotic respiratory viral infections in farm animals, animal handlers, and the animal environment.

Study Approach:

This is a surveillance study conducted in Tiruvallur, Ponneri, Poonamallee, and Ambattur blocks of Tiruvallur district. The study group consists of A. Animals, B. Animal handlers, and C. Environmental (Air and waste water). The surveillance study is conducted in 40 animal farm units from four representative blocks of Tiruvallur district. Animal farms housing cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, swine and poultry were included in the study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from livestock animals; nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from animal handlers; air sample and wastewater samples are also collected from the animal farm unit. The surveillance in the study population is repeated for a period of two years (one year each of phase 1 followed by phase 2). Around 400 to 450 animal swab samples are collected and tested every month.

Expected Public Health Impact:

The present study will generate data on zoonotic respiratory viral infections interconnecting animals, animal handlers, and environment in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The present project can lead to the development of kits for screening of zoonotic respiratory viral infections using a multiplex Real-time RT-PCR for the detection of bovine CoV, bovine RSV, bovine PIV3, and other zoonotic respiratory viruses.