Incursion of Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus, the Netherlands, October 2020

Nancy Beerens; Rene Heutink; Frank Harders; Marit Roose; Sylvia B E Pritz-Verschuren; Evelien A Germeraad; Marc Engelsma

doi:10.3201/eid2706.204464

Incursion of Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus, the Netherlands, October 2020

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021;27(6):1750-1753. doi: 10.3201/eid2706.204464.

Authors

Nancy Beerens, Rene Heutink, Frank Harders, Marit Roose, Sylvia B E Pritz-Verschuren, Evelien A Germeraad, Marc Engelsma

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus was detected in mute swans in the Netherlands during October 2020. The virus shares a common ancestor with clade 2.3.4.4b viruses detected in Egypt during 2018-2019 and has similar genetic composition. The virus is not directly related to H5N8 viruses from Europe detected in the first half of 2020.

Keywords: H5N8 subtype; HPAI; evolution; genome sequence; highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus; incursion; influenza; influenza virus; swans; the Netherlands; viruses; wild birds.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Animals, Wild
Egypt
Europe
Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype*
Influenza in Birds*
Netherlands
Phylogeny