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Welcome to ESNIP 3 - European Surveillance Network for Influenza in Pigs |
European Surveillance Network for Influenza in Pigs 3 (ESNIP 3)” is in part a continuation of a surveillance network that was established during previous EC concerted actions FP5 ESNIP 1 (QLK2-CT-2000-01636) and FP6 ESNIP 2 (SSPE-CT-2005-022749). This second co-ordination action, which ran from 2005 until 2008, sought to achieve a better understanding of the epidemiology of swine influenza in Europe. Ten partners from eight different European countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria and UK) were involved including two industrial partners. Seven of these ESNIP 2 partners are members of the current ESNIP 3 consortium. ESNIP 3 will build upon the achievements of ESNIP 1 and 2.
ESNIP 3 strategic objectives:
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To further expand our knowledge of the epidemiology and evolution of SIVs in Europe through both virological and serological surveillance for influenza in pig populations. | ||
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Provision of coherent data sets at EU level in relation to SIV. | ||
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Rapid characterisation of contemporary viruses contributing to better information for authorities concerned with veterinary public health. | ||
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Harmonisation of surveillance approaches and diagnostic techniques for swine influenza within the network. | ||
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Application of developments in novel technologies and cutting edge tools to the study of SIV in European pigs. | ||
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To provide insights into the public health risk of influenza in swine especially in respect of novel and emerging viruses thereby consistent with pandemic preparedness by conducting surveillance in pigs. | ||
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Establishing an SIV bank for the ESNIP community. | ||
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Global dissemination of knowledge and information including strategic partnerships with other networks of influenza in other host species including humans. |
Current Epidemiology of Influenza in Pigs in Europe
Update: 17 August 2012 by Professor Ian Brown; Project Coordinator
Surveillance conducted in European pigs between November 2010 and March 2012 detected influenza A virus in 1034 (total 3437 examined) cases of respiratory disease in pigs. This surveillance included results from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Following detection of influenza A virus, subtype specific data was obtained either through the use of molecular tools or by conventional subtyping. From these1034 positive cases a total of 675 viruses have been subtyped to date.
The dominant subtype was avian-like swine H1N1 virus (total 49%) that was detected in all countries participating apart from Finland. Moderately high levels of H1N2 virus were detected (21%) and these derived from nine countries. In addition, A(H1N1)pdm09 comprised 10% of the viruses identified including in pigs from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom, but it should be noted that not all viruses from all countries have been fully characterised so this virus may yet be demonstrated in other participating countries. The rest of the viruses consisted of a range of reassortants which did not appear to be widely established including combinations with H1N1 acquiring a human-like HA on the backbone of avian-like swine H1N1, H1N2 viruses acquiring the HA gene from the avian-like swine virus and reassortants of endemic strains with pandemic virus, some of which have been reported previously in scientific literature including Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom. To date however these form minor and probably non established lineages of virus. Furthermore human-like H3N2 virus (10% of viruses) was detected in cases deriving from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands and Spain although occurrence was predominantly in Italy and Germany.
These results reveal ongoing changes in the epidemiology of influenza in pigs but also consistency with previous data collected and demonstrate the broader characteristics of the dominant strains has remained relatively unchanged in recent years. These studies whilst reporting preliminary data have not provided evidence for incursion of new viruses including the H3N2 variant being reported in North American pigs (with some zoonotic transmissions). Furthermore evaluation of the diagnostic tools being used by the ESNIP 3 consortium has demonstrated reliability for detection of a broad range of influenza A viruses including those present outside the European region such as H3N2v. We will continue to provide timely updates as new data becomes available including through detailed genetic analysis and antigenic cartography.
Project reporting
Draft Summary of Activities during the period 1st November 2010 – 30 April 2012
Scientific and financial reporting was due at the end of April 2012. For links to the participant portal and a template for the periodic report please access the links:-
ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp7/docs/periodic_report_en.doc
ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp7/docs/project_reporting_en.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/appmanager/participants/portal
Abstracts
Various abstracts and posters relevant to ESNIP and Swine Influenza will be published on this home page
Reid et al. at the 4th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management, Bruges, Belgium, 25-27 June 2012.
Simon et al. oral presentation at the IPVS 2012 Korea, 10-13 June 2012
G Simon oral presentation at the 4th Merial Swine Forum in Berlin on 1st June 2012
Contact us
For more information about ESNIP 3 please contact us
