Characterization of Three Clade 2.3.4.4 H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated from Wild Birds

In recent years, pathogenicity and transmissibility as well as increasing potential human infection ability of H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been documented in this journal. 1 Guo F. Luo T. Pu Z. Xiang D. Shen X. Irwin D.M. et al. Increasing the potential ability of human infections in H5N6 avian influenza A viruses. J Infect. 2018; 77 (PubMed PMID:30077579): 349-356 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar , 2 Kang Y. Shen X. Yuan R. Xiang B. Fang Z. Murphy R.W. et al. Pathogenicity and transmissibility of three avian influenza A (H5N6) viruses isolated from wild birds. J Infect. 2018; 76 (PubMed PMID:29307740): 286-294 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar Since 2003, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) have become enzootic in many countries and pose a serious challenge to the poultry industry and public health. 3 Eagles D. Siregar E.S. Dung D.H. Weaver J. Wong F. Daniels P. H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Southeast Asia. Rev Sci Tech. 2009; 28 (PubMed PMID:19618637): 341-348 Google Scholar As of 2013, H5N6 HPAIVs have emerged and circulated in poultry, causing sporadic human infections in China. 4 Shen Y.Y. Ke C.W. Li Q. Yuan R.Y. Xiang D. Jia W.X. et al. Novel Reassortant Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Viruses in Humans, Guangdong, China, 2015. Emerg Infect Diseas. 2016; 22 (PubMed PMID:27331418. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4982152): 1507-1509 Google Scholar Since 2014, H5N8 HPAIVs have been circulating in Asia, North America, and Europe. 5 Pohlmann A. Starick E. Harder T. Grund C. Hoper D. Globig A. et al. Outbreaks among Wild Birds and Domestic Poultry Caused by Reassorted Influenza A(H5N8) Clade 2.3.4.4 Viruses, Germany, 2016. Emerg Infect Diseas. 2017; 23 (PubMed PMID:28055819. Pubmed Central PMCID: 5367393): 633-636 Google Scholar Wild birds are considered a natural reservoir for AIVs and play an important role in viral transmission. 6 Kawaoka Y. Chambers T.M. Sladen W.L. Webster R.G. Is the gene pool of influenza viruses in shorebirds and gulls different from that in wild ducks?. Virology. 1988; 163 (PubMed PMID:3348002): 247-250 Crossref PubMed Scopus (261) Google Scholar In this study, we have presented a brief characterization of three H5 HPAIVs with different NA subtypes (H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8) isolated from wild birds.