Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses and Generation of Novel Reassortants, United States, 2014-2015

Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Jul;22(7):1283-5. doi: 10.3201/eid2207.160048.

Abstract

Asian highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses spread into North America in 2014 during autumn bird migration. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 32 H5 viruses identified novel H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8 viruses that emerged in late 2014 through reassortment with North American low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses.

Keywords: HPAI; North America; United States; bird; clade 2.3.4.4; highly pathogenic avian influenza virus; influenza; migration; phylogenetic analysis; reassortant; reassortment; viruses; waterfowl.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Birds
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Influenza A virus / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Reassortant Viruses / genetics
  • Reassortant Viruses / pathogenicity*
  • Viral Tropism