Ecology, Epidemiology and Human Health Implications of Avian Influenza Viruses: Why do we need to share genetic information?

Avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype have become widespread in vast areas of Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. This opportunity given to the virus has greatly increased its potential to affect the health of wild and domestic animals and humans. Currently, human health is affected both in terms of the reduction of food security and as a result of infection of humans which could be a prelude to the emergence of a new pandemic virus. The medical, veterinary and agricultural scientific communities are challenged with a virus that is moving in a tri-dimensional fashion, modifying itself as it adapts to different species and reassorting with other influenza viruses of avian and potentially mammalian origin, as it infects new species. A significant collaborative and financial effort in a transparent scientific environment are required to generate data and ideas contributing to the eradication effort. Until the extensive circulation of the virus is limited in the domestic avian reservoir, avian influenza will continue to remain an issue for food security and a global threat for animal and human health