Deaths among Wild Birds during Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus Outbreak, the Netherlands

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Dec;23(12):2050-2054. doi: 10.3201/eid2312.171086.

Abstract

During autumn-winter 2016-2017, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses caused mass die-offs among wild birds in the Netherlands. Among the ≈13,600 birds reported dead, most were tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula) and Eurasian wigeons (Anas penelope). Recurrence of avian influenza outbreaks might alter wild bird population dynamics.

Keywords: Eurasian wigeon; H5N8; HPAI; Holland; birds; communicable diseases; death; die-off; ducks; emerging; epidemiology; highly pathogenic avian influenza; influenza; influenza A virus; influenza in birds; mortality; outbreaks; population dynamics; poultry; the Netherlands; tufted duck; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Anseriformes / virology
  • Charadriiformes / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Hawks / virology
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology*
  • Influenza in Birds / mortality*
  • Influenza in Birds / pathology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology
  • Mortality / trends*
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Population Dynamics