Progress and achievements in the research on avian influenza in China

Abstract:

Avian influenza caused great harms to avian industry, and posed great threaten to public health. In order to scientifically control and prevent avian influenza, China scientist have finished a series of great work on basic and applied researches, and acquired wonderful spotlight achievements in world. Through long-term surveillance, characterists of epidemiology and evolution of avian influenza in China have been clarified. Using reverse genetics and protein techniques, the key amino acids contributing to pathogenicity and transmissibility were found out, and the mechanism behind was explored. Avian influenza vaccines were developed and popularized, accompanied with consistent emergence of new vaccine. These scientific researches have established firm foundation to avian influenza prevention and follow-up studies. However, avian influenza viruses, especially the novel H7N9 virus, still pose great threats to us. Therefore, in order to prevent and control avian influenza thoroughly, greater efforts on research are warranted.