During January 2015, approximately 100 migratory birds, including whooper swans and pochards, died of unknown reasons in the Sanmenxia Reservoir Area of China. The cause of this outbreak was promptly confirmed as H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) by Dr. Yuhai Bi and his colleagues from the Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is led by Prof. George F. Gao.

Based on epidemiological and pathological analyses, in addition to genetic evolution and drug resistance studies of the HPAIV isolate, preventative and control measures were suggested to the government of Sanmenxia city by CASCIRE, and the outbreak was successfully controlled and eradicated as a result.  In recognition of the important contributions made by CASCIRE, Prof. George F. Gao, Dr. Yuhai Bi and the other members of CASCIRE were awarded the title “Defender of Whooper Swans”.

CASCIRE, led by Prof. George F. Gao, is focused on the surveillance, genetic evolution, and cross-species infections of influenza virus to mammals and humans.  In addition to their work with H5N1 HPAIV, other outstanding achievements include investigations into the H7N9, H10N8 and H5N6 influenza viruses, in which the findings have played important roles in revealing the mechanisms of pathogenesis of the novel viruses and in dictating government policy on the prevention and control of HPAIVs.