Abstract
In October 2020, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N8 virus was identified from a fecal sample of a wild mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) in South Korea. We sequenced all eight genome segments of the virus, designated as A/Mandarin duck/Korea/K20-551-4/2020(H5N8), and conducted genetic characterization and comparative phylogenetic analysis to track its origin. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis show that the hemagglutinin gene belongs to H5 clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B. All genes share high levels of nucleotide identity with H5N8 HPAI viruses identified from Europe during early 2020. Enhanced active surveillance in wild and domestic birds is needed to monitor the introduction and spread of HPAI via wild birds and to inform the design of improved prevention and control strategies.
Highlights
Pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5Nx viruses have been causing substantial losses to the poultry industry and public health concerns since the detection ofA/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996(H5N1) (Gs/GD) from domestic poultry in southern China
During May–June 2016, novel reassortant clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B H5N8 viruses containing internal genes of Eurasian low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses were identified in wild birds in Uvs Lake, Russia and Qinghai Lake, China [12,13]
We report isolation of a clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N8 virus from a fecal sample of a mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) collected in October 2020 during active wild bird surveillance for avian influenza virus (AIV) in South Korea
Summary
Pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5Nx viruses have been causing substantial losses to the poultry industry and public health concerns since the detection of. During May–June 2016, novel reassortant clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B H5N8 viruses containing internal genes of Eurasian low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses were identified in wild birds in Uvs Lake, Russia and Qinghai Lake, China [12,13]. These viruses had undergone further reassortments with prevailing LPAI viruses in wild birds and spread to Europe, Africa, and Asia in winter 2016–17 following the migration of wild birds [14,15,16,17,18]. We sequenced all eight genome segments of the virus, designated as A/Mandarin duck/Korea/K20-551-4/2020(H5N8), and conducted genetic characterization and comparative phylogenetic analysis to track its origin
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