USDA Funds $2M Project to Test Novel Antiviral Fogging Technology Against Avian Influenza

Source Domain: finance.yahoo.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A research team led by Purdue University, with partners Entomol and 1,4Group, has been awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to evaluate a novel antiviral fogging technology to combat high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) which remains a serious threat to poultry health and the global food supply.

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The project’s lead investigator is Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on avian influenza vaccines and molecular virology. “At Purdue University, our research team along with Entomol will develop a new therapeutic approach using hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a product of Entomol Products, LLC, to directly target and inhibit the virus in poultry environments. This innovative method has the potential to significantly reduce viral spread, offering farmers a practical solution to protect their flocks,” said Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, Assistant Professor of Poultry Medicine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Hydrogenated catmint oil is a natural compound that, when used strategically in poultry facilities, interferes with the virus’s ability to propagate. Our research involves testing HCO’s antiviral effects in the lab, assessing its safety in chickens, and evaluating its effectiveness in real-world poultry housing conditions. By combining scientific rigor with practical application, we aim to develop a tool that enhances biosecurity and diminishes the impact of HPAI outbreaks.” he said.

“Entomol’s hydrogenated catmint oil technology has demonstrated the ability to disrupt influenza viruses in the air and on surfaces at very low concentrations. This USDA-supported project will allow us to rigorously evaluate its potential as a practical biosecurity tool for poultry producers.”…

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