Abstract
BackgroundH6 subtype avian influenza viruses are globally distributed and, in recent years, have been isolated with increasing frequency from both domestic and wild bird species as well as infected humans. Many reports have examined the viruses in the context of poultry or several wild bird species, but there is less information regarding their presence in migratory birds.MethodsHemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition tests were used to measure HA activity for different HA subtypes. Whole viral genomes were sequenced and analysed using DNAstar and MEGA 6 to understand their genetic evolution. Pathogenicity was evaluated using a mouse infection model.ResultsWe isolated 13 strains of H6 virus from faecal samples of migratory waterfowl in Anhui Province of China in 2014. Phylogenetic analysis showed gene reassortment between Eurasian and North American lineages. Five of the identified H6 strains had the ability to infect mice without adaptation.ConclusionOur findings suggest that regular surveillance of wild birds, especially migratory birds, is important for providing early warning and control of avian influenza outbreaks.
Highlights
H6 subtype avian influenza viruses are globally distributed and, in recent years, have been isolated with increasing frequency from both domestic and wild bird species as well as infected humans
Influenza virus isolation and subtype identification In total, 13 H6 Avian influenza virus (AIV) strains were isolated from 2970 faecal samples collected from wild birds in Anhui Province, China, in 2014
It is known that H6 AIV strains found in poultry pose a potential threat to humans, few studies have surveyed this subtype in infected wild birds, and its threat to humans is not well understood
Summary
H6 subtype avian influenza viruses are globally distributed and, in recent years, have been isolated with increasing frequency from both domestic and wild bird species as well as infected humans. At least 136 species have been discovered in 26 different families of wild birds and harbour 144 subtypes of influenza A virus [1,2,3,4]. On June 21, 2013, the first case of a human infection by an avian-origin H6N1 influenza A virus (A/Taiwan/2/2013, Taiwan2) was reported by the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control [11, 18]. Human infection with H6 AIVs in mainland China has not been reported, but a serum antibody positive for the H6 virus was found in poultry workers [19].
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