Researchers from the Virology Unit at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge have published a new study in Nature Communications exploring a new way to strengthen surveillance for avian influenza in live bird markets. Live bird markets are important for food supply and livelihoods across Southeast Asia, but they are also places where animal and human health closely interact. In this study, scientists analyzed environmental samples, including air, alongside traditional poultry testing. By combining environmental sampling with advanced genetic sequencing, the team was able to detect a wide range of viruses circulating in the markets, including highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, even in situations where testing individual birds did not identify the virus. These findings show that testing the market environment itself, especially the air, can complement existing surveillance programs and help improve early detection of potential health risks. This work supports ongoing efforts to strengthen One Health surveillance systems and enhance preparedness for zoonotic diseases in Cambodia and the region.

Read the full paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-68245-8