Isolation of clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N8), a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, from a worker during an outbreak on a poultry farm, Russia, December 2020

Euro Surveill. 2021 Jun;26(24):2100439. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.24.2100439.

Abstract

This study presents the isolation of influenza A(H5N8) virus clade 2.3.4.4b from a poultry worker during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) among chickens at a poultry farm in Astrakhan, Russia in December 2020. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from seven poultry workers were positive for influenza A(H5N8), as confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. The influenza A(H5N8) virus was isolated from one of the human specimens and characterised. Sporadic human influenza A(H5)2.3.4.4. infections represent a possible concern for public health.

Keywords: Clade 2.3.4.4; H5N8; HPAIV; avian influenza virus; human influenza; phylogenetic; surveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Farms
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / genetics
  • Influenza in Birds* / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Poultry
  • Poultry Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Russia / epidemiology