This work package deals with the biological stabilisation or destabilisation of avian viruses in the environment. In particular we will look at the effect of soil and natural waters and the identification of the substances involved.
Soil parameters such as moisture and microbial activity are strongly influenced by soil structure and pore-size distribution. Thus, all studies in WP section will be performed on undisturbed soil cores instead of artificially packed soil columns. Wide spectra of soils with different physical, chemical and biological characteristics will be selected and sampled at different locations in Europe. Little is known on the survival of influenza virus in surface water. This work package opts to identify surface water chemical or biological components that have stabilising or destabilising effect on virus survival.
This part of the WP will assess the potential for biological effects that might stabilise (or destabilise) avian influenza in water. Lake silt, filtered lake water, sterilised or containing free living micro-organisms, bacteria, protists and amoebae, the intestinal flora from waterfowl enteric tract using duck faeces and human sewage contamination are investigated.