Devim Project: Tracking Influenza Exchange Between Farmers and Animals

Projet Devim is a French surveillance initiative led by OS Porc Bretagne and Anses to monitor the exchange of influenza viruses between pig farmers and swine. By analyzing used tissues, researchers from Santé publique France, ARS Bretagne, and CHU de Rennes aim to document zoonotic transmission and identify potential pandemic risks.

The project focuses on the detection of influenza viruses on tissues (mouchoirs) to better understand how respiratory viruses move between human handlers and animals. This non-invasive sampling method allows health officials to track viral shedding and transmission patterns without requiring clinical swabs from every participant.

How does Projet Devim track influenza transmission?

The project uses tissues as a primary sampling tool to identify the presence of influenza viruses. According to the project description, this method allows researchers to document the “exchanges of respiratory viruses” between farmers and the pigs they manage. By collecting these samples, the team can detect viral genetic material that indicates whether a human has contracted a swine-origin virus or if a pig has been infected by a human-origin strain.

This approach is designed to be less intrusive than traditional nasal or throat swabs, increasing the likelihood of consistent participation from agricultural workers. The samples are then analyzed to map the movement of the virus across the human-animal interface.

Which organizations are leading the surveillance effort?

The initiative is a multi-agency collaboration involving several French public health and agricultural bodies. OS Porc Bretagne leads the project, providing the primary connection to the farming community. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) provides critical technical and regulatory support.

Additional partners include:

• Santé publique France: The national public health agency responsible for monitoring infectious diseases.
• ARS Bretagne (Regional Health Agency): The body coordinating health policies and interventions within the Brittany region.
• CHU de Rennes: The university hospital providing the clinical and laboratory expertise necessary for viral sequencing and analysis.

Why is monitoring pig farmers critical for public health?

Monitoring the interface between humans and swine is a priority for global health because pigs are often described as “mixing vessels” for influenza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pigs can be infected by both avian and human influenza viruses. When two different strains infect the same pig, they can swap genetic material in a process called reassortment.

This reassortment can create new hybrid viruses that humans have no pre-existing immunity against, potentially leading to pandemics. By documenting these exchanges in real-time, Projet Devim helps health authorities identify emerging strains before they spread widely in the human population.

What are the primary goals of the Devim project?

The central goal of Projet Devim is to improve the documentation of zoonotic influenza. Rather than relying on patients who show severe symptoms and visit a clinic, the project seeks to capture “silent” or mild transmissions that typically go unnoticed. This provides a more accurate picture of how often viruses jump between species.

The project aims to provide data that can inform better biosafety protocols on farms and improve the early warning systems used by Anses and Santé publique France to detect potential outbreaks.

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