Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and H5N8 have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2016, respectively. In parallel, the low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 virus has been endemic since 2010. Despite the continuous circulation of these subtypes for several years, no natural reassortant has been detected so far among the domestic poultry population in Egypt. In this study, the HPAI (H5N2) virus was isolated from a commercial duck farm, giving evidence of the emergence of the first natural reassortment event in domestic poultry in Egypt. The virus was derived as a result of genetic reassortment between avian influenza viruses of H5N8 and H9N2 subtypes circulating in Egypt. The exchange of the neuraminidase segment and high number of acquired mutations might be associated with an alteration in the biological propensities of this virus.
Highlights
Pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 viruses have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2010, respectively [1].In late 2016, Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus of clade 2.3.4.4 was first reported among wild birds in Egypt [2].Since 2016, HPAI H5N8 viruses have been reported in different geographical regions across the country in both commercial and backyard bird sectors [3,4], where six genotypes have been detected in both wild and domestic birds [3,4,5]
Samples were taken prior to slaughtering as a part of an active surveillance program conducted by the National Laboratory for veterinary quality control on poultry production (NLQP) and General
Pooled samples were found positive for the influenza A H5N2 subtype and negative for H7 and
Summary
Pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 viruses have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2010, respectively [1].In late 2016, HPAI H5N8 virus of clade 2.3.4.4 (group B) was first reported among wild birds in Egypt [2].Since 2016, HPAI H5N8 viruses have been reported in different geographical regions across the country in both commercial and backyard bird sectors [3,4], where six genotypes have been detected in both wild and domestic birds [3,4,5]. Pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 viruses have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2010, respectively [1]. In late 2016, HPAI H5N8 virus of clade 2.3.4.4 (group B) was first reported among wild birds in Egypt [2]. Since 2016, HPAI H5N8 viruses have been reported in different geographical regions across the country in both commercial and backyard bird sectors [3,4], where six genotypes have been detected in both wild and domestic birds [3,4,5]. HPAI H5N1 virus worldwide, and one of the only three countries (Egypt, China, and Bangladesh) that reported LPAI H9N2 in humans [1,6].
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