Genetic characterisation of novel, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6 viruses isolated in birds, South Korea, November 2016

Euro Surveill. 2017 Jan 5;22(1):30434. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.1.30434.

Abstract

A novel genotype of H5N6 influenza viruses was isolated from migratory birds in South Korea during November 2016. Domestic outbreaks of this virus were associated with die-offs of wild birds near reported poultry cases in Chungbuk province, central South Korea. Genetic analysis and animal studies demonstrated that the Korean H5N6 viruses are highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses and that these viruses are novel reassortants of at least three different subtypes (H5N6, H4N2 and H1N1).

Keywords: H5N6; Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI); Influenza A virus; South Korea.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology*
  • Birds / virology*
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Genotype
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / diagnosis
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Poultry / virology
  • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA