From Birds to Boroughs - Detection of Clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus in NYC

Join this 57-minute webinar from the American Society for Microbiology's Journal of Virology Seminar Series to explore groundbreaking community science research on highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus detection in New York City's urban environment. Learn how the NYC Virus Hunters initiative revolutionizes pandemic preparedness by uniting community scientists, veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and virologists to generate critical surveillance data in metropolitan areas. Discover the latest findings from Dr. Christine Marizzi and Dr. Phillip Meade's team regarding avian influenza prevalence in the city's wild bird populations, with specific focus on the detection of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus strains. Gain insights from program alumni Kailani Gaynor and Sadia Choudhury as they share their experiences as youth researchers contributing to viral surveillance efforts. Explore how community-based scientific approaches are transforming virology research and enhancing our understanding of zoonotic disease transmission in urban ecosystems, while examining the practical applications of citizen science in public health monitoring and pandemic preparedness strategies.