During 12 recent months of periodic influenza virus surveillance at 9 live poultry markets in Wuxi City China, we identified multiple highly pathogenic H5N6, H5N8, H5N2, and H5N1 avian influenza viruses. The variety of potentially pandemic viruses in this low-risk area is disconcerting and portends an increased pandemic threat.
Keywords: H5N1 influenza A virus; H5N2 influenza A virus; H5N6 influenza A virus; H5N8 influenza A virus; reassortant.