Novel Antiviral Fogging Technology to Combat Bird Flu
- Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has awarded $2 million to a research team led by Purdue University to evaluate a novel antiviral...
- Ekramy Sayedahmed, an Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Working alongside partners Entomol and 1,4Group, the team will develop a therapeutic approach utilizing hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a product developed by Entomol Products, LLC.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has awarded $2 million to a research team led by Purdue University to evaluate a novel antiviral fogging technology. The project aims to combat high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a virus that continues to pose a serious threat to the global food supply and poultry health.
The research initiative is led by Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, an Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sayedahmed specializes in molecular virology and avian influenza vaccines.
Working alongside partners Entomol and 1,4Group, the team will develop a therapeutic approach utilizing hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a product developed by Entomol Products, LLC. This natural compound is designed to target and inhibit the virus directly within poultry environments.
Mechanism and Application of Hydrogenated Catmint Oil
The technology focuses on disrupting the ability of influenza viruses to propagate. According to the research team, hydrogenated catmint oil has shown the capacity to disrupt these viruses on surfaces and in the air, even at very low concentrations.
To implement this in a commercial setting, the technology is designed for deployment through fogging systems. These systems would be used in egg houses and commercial poultry facilities, specifically targeting airborne transmission, which is a primary driver of HPAI outbreaks.
Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
Hydrogenated catmint oil is a natural compound that, when used strategically in poultry facilities, interferes with the virus’s ability to propagate.
Research Objectives and Testing Phases
The $2 million project will follow a structured scientific approach to verify the efficacy and safety of the fogging technology. The research involves three primary phases of evaluation:
- Testing the antiviral effects of hydrogenated catmint oil within a laboratory setting.
- Assessing the safety of the compound specifically for use in chickens.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of the fogging technology under real-world poultry housing conditions.
By combining laboratory rigor with practical application, the researchers intend to create a tool that enhances overall biosecurity for farmers and reduces the impact of future HPAI outbreaks.
Public Health and Economic Context
The development of this technology comes amid significant losses in the poultry industry. USDA data indicates that since 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks have resulted in the loss of more than 90 million poultry in the United States.
These losses have caused billions of dollars in economic damage and have led to continued disruptions in the food supply chain. Because HPAI remains a persistent threat, the development of practical, scalable solutions for flock protection is a priority for agricultural and public health officials.
Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
This innovative method has the potential to significantly reduce viral spread, offering farmers a practical solution to protect their flocks.