Epidemiology, Genetic Characterization, and Pathogenesis of Avian Influenza H5N8 Viruses Circulating in Northern and Southern Parts of Egypt, 2017–2019

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of subtype H5N8 continue to circulate, causing huge economic losses and serious impact on poultry production worldwide. Recently, HPAIV H5N8 has been spreading rapidly, and a large number of HPAI H5N8 outbreaks have been reported in Eurasia 2020–2021. In this study, we conducted an epidemiological survey of HPAI H5N8 virus at different geographical locations in Egypt from 2017 to 2019. This was followed by genetic and pathogenic studies. Our findings highlight the wide spread of HPAI H5N8 viruses in Egypt, including in 22 governorates. The genetic analyses of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene segments emphasized a phylogenetic relatedness between the Egyptian HPAI H5N8 viruses and viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b recently isolated in Europe. These findings suggest that a potential back transmission of Egyptian HPAI H5N8 virus has occurred from domestic poultry in Egypt to migratory wild birds, followed by further spread to different countries. This highlights the importance of continuous epidemiological and genetic studies of AIVs at the domestic–wild bird interface.

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Genetic Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) Virus from Domestic Ducks, England, November 2014

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3201/eid2105.141954 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 879-882 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Amanda Hanna ◽

Jill Banks ◽

Denise A. Marston ◽

Richard J. Ellis ◽

Sharon M. Brookes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Domestic Ducks ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

H5n8 Virus

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Clade 2.3.4.4b Subtype H5N8 Virus Isolated from Mandarin Duck in South Korea, 2020

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12121389 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1389 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sol Jeong ◽

Dong-Hun Lee ◽

Jung-Hoon Kwon ◽

Yu-Jin Kim ◽

Sun-Hak Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Avian Influenza ◽

South Korea ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

H5n8 Virus ◽

And Control ◽

Comparative Phylogenetic Analysis

In October 2020, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N8 virus was identified from a fecal sample of a wild mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) in South Korea. We sequenced all eight genome segments of the virus, designated as A/Mandarin duck/Korea/K20-551-4/2020(H5N8), and conducted genetic characterization and comparative phylogenetic analysis to track its origin. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis show that the hemagglutinin gene belongs to H5 clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B. All genes share high levels of nucleotide identity with H5N8 HPAI viruses identified from Europe during early 2020. Enhanced active surveillance in wild and domestic birds is needed to monitor the introduction and spread of HPAI via wild birds and to inform the design of improved prevention and control strategies.

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Inferring within‐flock transmission dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 virus in France, 2020

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases ◽

10.1111/tbed.14202 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Timothée Vergne ◽

Simon Gubbins ◽

Claire Guinat ◽

Billy Bauzile ◽

Mattias Delpont ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Transmission Dynamics ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

H5n8 Virus

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Gender issues in small-scale family poultry production: experiences with Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza control

World s Poultry Science Journal ◽

10.1017/s0043933909000191 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 231-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

B. Bagnol

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Newcastle Disease ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Gender Issues ◽

Small Scale ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Scale Family

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Opposite outcomes of the within-host competition between highly and low pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza viruses in chickens compared to ducks

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01366-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pierre Bessière ◽

Thomas Figueroa ◽

Amelia Coggon ◽

Charlotte Foret-Lucas ◽

Alexandre Houffschmitt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Reverse Genetics ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Viral Evolution ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Avian Influenza Viruses ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) emerge from low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) through the introduction of basic amino acids at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site. Following viral evolution, the newly formed HPAIV likely represents a minority variant within the index host, predominantly infected with the LPAIV precursor. Using reverse-genetics engineered H5N8 viruses differing solely at the HA cleavage, we tested the hypothesis that the interaction between the minority HPAIV and the majority LPAIV could modulate the risk of HPAIV emergence and that the nature of the interaction could depend on the host species. In chickens, we observed that the H5N8 LP increased H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis. By contrast, the H5N8 LP antagonized H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis in ducks. Ducks mounted a more potent antiviral innate immune response than chickens against the H5N8 LP , which correlated with H5N8 HP inhibition. These data provide experimental evidence that HPAIV may be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks and underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in viral evolution. IMPORTANCE Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses represent a threat to poultry production systems and to human health because of their impact on food security and because of their zoonotic potential. It is therefore crucial to better understand how these viruses emerge. Using a within-host competition model between highly and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, we provide evidence that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses could be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks. These results have important implications for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus emergence prevention and they underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in virus evolution.

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1438Dynamics of inter-farm transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza integrating vehicle movements and phylogenetic information

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Dae-sung Yoo ◽

Chun Byung Chul

Keyword(s):

Network Analysis ◽

Avian Influenza ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Movement Restriction ◽

Phylogenetic Information ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

And Control

Abstract Background Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a zoonotic infectious disease, has been considered a severe threat to public health. The fundamental prevention and control strategy against HPAI includes minimizing the outbreaks of poultry holdings where the virus primarily spreads through animal trade and poultry production associated vehicle movement (PPVM). However, very few attempts have been made to elucidate the association between PPVM and HPAI transmission compared to studies on poultry trade. Therefore, our study aimed to elucidate the role of PPVM on HPAI transmission. Methods We performed network analysis using PPVM data based on a global positioning system (GPS), with phylogenetic information of the HPAI virus for reliable estimation. Moreover, the contribution of PPVM to HPAI infection was estimated by Bayesian inference. Results The network analysis revealed that the connection via PPVM between the same genetic group of infected premises (IPs) was more prevalent than that of different genotype IPs. Moreover, the similarity of farm poultry species and the overlapped integrators between inter-linked IPs was associated with potential transmission route formation. Additionally, the contribution of PPVM among phylogenetically clustered IPs was estimated to have 28.25% of HPAI infections in IPs on average. Conclusions HPAI control strategies including targeted movement restriction and standstill should be established against the HPAI transmission via PPVM. Key messages This is a solid and novel study depicting the need for combining epidemiological analysis with data regarding molecular epidemiology of pathogens.

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

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3201/eid2312.171086 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 2050-2054 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Erik Kleyheeg ◽

Roy Slaterus ◽

Rogier Bodewes ◽

Jolianne M. Rijks ◽

Marcel A.H. Spierenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Avian Influenza ◽

Influenza A ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

H5n8 Virus

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Lack of virological and serological evidence for continued circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 virus in wild birds in the Netherlands, 14 November 2014 to 31 January 2016

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.38.30349 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (38) ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Marjolein J Poen ◽

Josanne H Verhagen ◽

Ruth J Manvell ◽

Ian Brown ◽

Theo M Bestebroer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Avian Influenza ◽

Wild Bird ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

H5n8 Virus

In 2014, H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage emerged in poultry and wild birds in Asia, Europe and North America. Here, wild birds were extensively investigated in the Netherlands for HPAI H5N8 virus (real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the matrix and H5 gene) and antibody detection (haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralisation assays) before, during and after the first virus detection in Europe in late 2014. Between 21 February 2015 and 31 January 2016, 7,337 bird samples were tested for the virus. One HPAI H5N8 virus-infected Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope) sampled on 25 February 2015 was detected. Serological assays were performed on 1,443 samples, including 149 collected between 2007 and 2013, 945 between 14 November 2014 and 13 May 2015, and 349 between 1 September and 31 December 2015. Antibodies specific for HPAI H5 clade 2.3.4.4 were absent in wild bird sera obtained before 2014 and present in sera collected during and after the HPAI H5N8 emergence in Europe, with antibody incidence declining after the 2014/15 winter. Our results indicate that the HPAI H5N8 virus has not continued to circulate extensively in wild bird populations since the 2014/15 winter and that independent maintenance of the virus in these populations appears unlikely.

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Mortality and Pathology Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Nigeria

International Scholarly Research Notices ◽

10.1155/2014/415418 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Olatunde Babatunde Akanbi ◽

Victor Olusegun Taiwo

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Production Systems ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Hpai H5n1 ◽

Commercial Poultry ◽

The One ◽

Influenza H5n1

Commercial layer-type, pullet, cockerel, and broiler chicken flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Nigeria between 2006 and 2008 were investigated for morbidity, mortality, and pathology. Of the one hundred and fifty-three (153) farms confirmed with HPAI infection, one hundred and twenty-seven (127) were layer-type farms, nine (9) were pullet and broiler farms each, and eight (8) were cockerel rearing farms. This study revealed the morbidity and mortality of a total of 939,620 commercial layer chickens, 16,421 pullets, 3,109 cockerels, and 6,433 broilers. Mortality rates were 11.11% in commercial layers, 26.84% in pullets, 45.51% in cockerels, and 73.92% in broilers in a total of eighteen (18) states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A total of 316 carcasses were examined of which 248 were commercial layer, 25 were pullet, 14 were cockerel, and 29 were broiler. Main clinical and pathologic findings were observed in the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, integumentary, musculoskeletal, hemopoietic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems and, occasionally, lesions were generally nonspecific and multisystemic. Lesions occurred more frequently, severely, and in most of the carcasses examined, irrespective of chicken type.

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