Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus in Gray Seals, Baltic Sea

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Dec;25(12):2295-2298. doi: 10.3201/eid2512.181472.

Abstract

We detected a highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus in lung samples of 2 gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) stranded on the Baltic coast of Poland in 2016 and 2017. This virus, clade 2.3.4.4 B, was closely related to avian H5N8 viruses circulating in Europe at the time.

Keywords: Baltic Sea; H5N8 influenza virus; Poland; highly pathogenic avian influenza; influenza; marine mammals; respiratory infections; seal; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baltic States
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Oceans and Seas
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Poland
  • Seals, Earless / virology*

Substances

  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus