Ron
A.M. Fouchier, National Influenza Centre and Department of Virology,
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Ron
A.M. Fouchier, National Influenza Centre and Department of Virology,
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Wild birds are the natural hosts for a plethora of viruses,
some of which can also infect humans. Upon transmission from birds to man some
viruses can not spread between humans, and infection is therefore restricted
to a single individual case 
(e.g.
Newcastle disease virus, NDV). This is not a general phenomenon for the paramyxoviruses
since homologues of avian pneumovirus (APV) are currently endemic in humans,
causing respiratory tract disease in young children around the world (human
metapneumovirus, hMPV). For influenza A virus, an orthomyxovirus, zoonotic transmission
is a relatively frequent event that can have an enormous impact on public and
animal health.
We are currently performing surveillance studies in wild birds, for which we
have set up rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of ortho- and paramyxo-viruses.
Using these methods we have identified and isolated a wide range of viruses,
primarily from waterfowl. Studies on various aspects of these viruses are in
progress in order to gain further insight in viral pathogenesis and transmission.
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