Epidemiology, Evolution, and Recent Outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus in China

Shuo Su; Yuhai Bi; Gary Wong; Gregory C Gray; George F Gao; Shoujun Li

doi:10.1128/JVI.01034-15

Epidemiology, Evolution, and Recent Outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus in China

J Virol. 2015 Sep;89(17):8671-6. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01034-15. Epub 2015 Jun 10.

Authors

Shuo Su¹, Yuhai Bi², Gary Wong³, Gregory C Gray⁴, George F Gao⁵, Shoujun Li⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangdong, China.
² CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Shenzen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China shoujunli@scau.edu.cn Beeyh@im.ac.cn.
³ CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁴ Division of Infectious Diseases, Global Health Institute, and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
⁵ CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Shenzen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁶ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangdong, China shoujunli@scau.edu.cn Beeyh@im.ac.cn.

Abstract

Novel reassortants of H7N9, H10N8, and H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are currently circulating in China's poultry flocks, occasionally infecting humans and other mammals. Combined with the sometimes enzootic H5N1 and H9N2 strains, this cauldron of genetically diverse AIVs pose significant risks to public health. Here, we review the epidemiology, evolution, and recent outbreaks of AIVs in China, discuss reasons behind the recent increase in the emergence of novel AIVs, and identify warning signs which may point to the emergence of a potentially virulent and highly transmissible AIV to humans. This review will be useful to authorities who consider options for the detection and control of AIV transmission in animals and humans, with the goal of preventing future epidemics and pandemics.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Evolution
China / epidemiology
Epidemics / prevention & control
Epidemics / veterinary
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation / genetics
Humans
Influenza A virus / classification*
Influenza A virus / genetics*
Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
Influenza in Birds / epidemiology
Influenza in Birds / virology*
Influenza, Human / epidemiology
Influenza, Human / virology*
Pandemics
Poultry / virology
Poultry Diseases / virology*
Vaccination / veterinary