Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N2, H5N3, and H5N8 in Taiwan in 2015

Vet Microbiol. 2016 May 1:187:50-57. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.03.012. Epub 2016 Mar 19.

Abstract

A severe epidemic, affecting mainly goose populations, broke out in early January 2015. The causative agents were identified as novel H5 avian influenza viruses carrying N2, N3, and N8 subtypes of the neuraminidase gene. From January 8 to February 11, 766 waterfowl and poultry farms were invaded by the H5 viruses, and more than 2.2 million geese died or were culled. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that these avian influenza viruses derived from the H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 which were emerging in 2014 in East Asia, West Europe, and North America.

Keywords: Avian influenza; Goose; Subtype H5; Taiwan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Geese / virology
  • Influenza A virus / classification
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A virus / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology*
  • Influenza in Birds / mortality
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Neuraminidase / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Poultry Diseases / mortality
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Taiwan / epidemiology

Substances

  • Neuraminidase