Challenges of influenza A viruses in humans and animals and current animal vaccines as an effective control measure

Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2018 Jan;7(1):1-15. doi: 10.7774/cevr.2018.7.1.1. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Abstract

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are genetically diverse and variable pathogens that share various hosts including human, swine, and domestic poultry. Interspecies and intercontinental viral spreads make the ecology of IAV more complex. Beside endemic IAV infections, human has been exposed to pandemic and zoonotic threats from avian and swine influenza viruses. Animal health also has been threatened by high pathogenic avian influenza viruses (in domestic poultry) and reverse zoonosis (in swine). Considering its dynamic interplay between species, prevention and control against IAV should be conducted effectively in both humans and animal sectors. Vaccination is one of the most efficient tools against IAV. Numerous vaccines against animal IAVs have been developed by a variety of vaccine technologies and some of them are currently commercially available. We summarize several challenges in control of IAVs faced by human and animals and discuss IAV vaccines for animal use with those application in susceptible populations.

Keywords: Endemic diseases; Human; Influenza A virus; Pandemics; Poultry; Swine; Vaccines; Zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Review