Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

    J Gen Virol 89 (2008), 2691-2697; DOI 10.1099/vir.0.2008/004259-0


    IMMEDIATE OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE


    Short Communication

    Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sector

    Isabella Monne 1, Alice Fusaro 1, Mohamed Hamad Al-Blowi 2, Mahmoud Moussa Ismail 3, Owais Ahmed Khan 4, Gwena?lle Dauphin , Astrid Tripodi 5, Annalisa Salviato , Stefano Marangon 1, Ilaria Capua 1 and Giovanni Cattoli 1

    1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza, Viale dell'Universit? 10, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
    2 Veterinary Labs Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    3 Department of Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr-Elsheikh University, Egypt
    4 Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, PO Box 15831, Riyadh 11454, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    5 Animal Health Service, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy

    Correspondence
    Ilaria Capua
    icapua@izsvenezie.it
    icapua@izsvenezie.it[/SIZE]


    ABSTRACT <table align="right" border="1" cellpadding="5"><tbody><tr><th align="left"> TOP
    ABSTRACT
    MAIN TEXT
    REFERENCES
    </th></tr></tbody></table>
    Since early 2007, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has experienced<sup> </sup>several highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks<sup> </sup>in the falconry and poultry sectors. The public health threat<sup> </sup>associated with peculiar husbandry systems, requiring close<sup> </sup>contact between humans and birds of prey, highlights the need<sup> </sup>of an improved understanding of the epidemiology and of the<sup> </sup>viral characteristics of H5N1 viruses circulating in the region.<sup> </sup>Here we report molecular and phylogenetic analyses of H5N1 viruses<sup> </sup>isolated in the KSA in 2007 in distinct compartments of avian<sup> </sup>husbandry. From the results of our investigation it appears<sup> </sup>that two separate introductions into the different sectors occurred.<sup> </sup>The identification of specific amino acid mutations, which are<sup> </sup>described as genetic signatures of human influenza A viruses<sup> </sup>or known to confer resistance to antiviral drugs, raises concerns<sup> </sup>for the possible human health implications of the KSA H5N1 viruses.<sup> </sup> <!-- null --> The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession numbers for the sequences reported<sup> </sup>in this paper are EU445682, EU590684?EU590695, EU424135,<sup> </sup>EU424136 and EU596411.<sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->
    <table bgcolor="#e1e1e1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="middle" width="5%"></td> <th align="left" valign="middle" width="95%"> MAIN TEXT </th></tr></tbody></table> <table align="right" border="1" cellpadding="5"><tbody><tr><th align="left"> TOP
    ABSTRACT
    MAIN TEXT
    REFERENCES
    </th></tr></tbody></table>
    Since late 2005, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses<sup> </sup>of H5N1 subtype have spread into Europe, the Middle East and<sup> </sup>Africa affecting both wild birds and poultry (Alexander, 2007;<sup> </sup>Salzberg et al., 2007). Three distinct sublineages were identified<sup> </sup>in these regions, termed EMA1, EMA2 and EMA3 by Salzberg et<sup> </sup>al. (2007), but designated 2.2.1, 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 in this manuscript,<sup> </sup>respectively. Incursions into the European Union have been seen<sup> </sup>mainly in wild birds, and the limited outbreaks occurring in<sup> </sup>poultry, as a result of the spread from wild birds or from poultry<sup> </sup>to other domestic birds, have been promptly eradicated in the<sup> </sup>vast majority of the European countries (Pittman & Laddomada,<sup> </sup>2008). In contrast, in Africa and in the Middle East, since<sup> </sup>the first outbreaks reported in early 2006, there has been extensive<sup> </sup>spread and circulation of H5N1 virus in poultry, but only an<sup> </sup>extremely limited number of isolations from wild birds (Fasina<sup> </sup>et al., 2007; Gaidet et al., 2007). To date it is still unclear<sup> </sup>how H5N1 virus reached these two regions, whether through wild<sup> </sup>bird movements, trade of infected poultry commodities or both.<sup> </sup>
    Between February and April 2006, infections due to H5N1 HPAI<sup> </sup>virus were reported in five Middle Eastern countries, namely:<sup> </sup>Iraq and Kuwait (February 2006); Jordan and Israel (March 2006)<sup> </sup>and Palestine (April 2006). In the same period, one suspected<sup> </sup>H5N1 case was reported in falcons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia<sup> </sup>(KSA) (ProMED-mail, 2006). However, the first confirmed case<sup> </sup>of HPAI H5N1 in KSA was dated 31 March 2007 (OIE, 2008). Since<sup> </sup>then, KSA experienced a number of outbreaks (n=29, as of 15<sup> </sup>April 2008) (OIE, 2008) of HPAI H5N1 in three distinct compartments:<sup> </sup>falconry, backyard poultry and, at a later stage, industrially<sup> </sup>reared poultry. Initially, the reported outbreaks were limited<sup> </sup>to the backyard poultry and falconry sectors. But, on 14 November<sup> </sup>2007, the first outbreak in the commercial sector was reported<sup> </sup>in a broiler breeder flock in the Al Kharj region of KSA.<sup> </sup>
    The first case of H5N1 infection in KSA was reported from specimens<sup> </sup>collected from imported Houbara bustards (Chlamidotis undulata<sup> </sup>macqueenii) (H. Aidaros, A. Tripodi and N. Honhold, FAO/OIE<sup> </sup>Crisis Management Centre, Rome, personal communication). These<sup> </sup>birds are a traditional, highly prized quarry of falconers and<sup> </sup>they are traded extensively from Central Asia to the Middle<sup> </sup>East (Bailey et al., 2000). The art of falconry is an important<sup> </sup>cultural activity in the Arabian Peninsula which has been practised<sup> </sup>for more than a millennium. Falcons are often raised in households<sup> </sup>and handled on a daily basis by owners and caretakers. The falconry<sup> </sup>activities involve both keeping birds of prey for hunting and<sup> </sup>rearing other birds, such as Houbara bustards, which are used<sup> </sup>as prey. It has been estimated that the illegal trade of falcons<sup> </sup>from Central Asia to the Middle East may involve as many as<sup> </sup>14 000 or more birds annually (ProMED-mail, 2006). Thus, trading<sup> </sup>of live birds (both predators and prey) associated with falconry<sup> </sup>represents a potential vehicle for introduction and spread of<sup> </sup>avian influenza viruses in the KSA and in other countries of<sup> </sup>the Gulf area. In addition, falcon husbandry methods may result<sup> </sup>in an increased risk of human exposure to H5N1, compared with<sup> </sup>other avian rearing practices. An improved understanding of<sup> </sup>the epidemiology and of the viral characteristics of H5N1 viruses<sup> </sup>circulating in the region would appear essential in managing<sup> </sup>the animal and human health risks.<sup> </sup>
    In this paper we report the first molecular and phylogenetic<sup> </sup>analyses of H5N1 viruses isolated from the Kingdom of Saudi<sup> </sup>Arabia (KSA) from distinct compartments of avian husbandry.<sup> </sup>
    Following standard virus isolation procedures (OIE, 2005) at<sup> </sup>the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Riyadh (KSA), 20 viruses<sup> </sup>were isolated from 20 different outbreaks and sent to the OIE/FAO<sup> </sup>Reference laboratory in Italy (IZSVe) for confirmatory diagnosis<sup> </sup>and molecular analysis (Table 1) as part of the FAO assistance<sup> </sup>mission in the country. Samples were processed for subtyping<sup> </sup>and pathotyping as described previously (Alexander & Spackman,<sup> </sup>1981; European Commission, 2006). Subsequently, based on the<sup> </sup>results obtained from analysis of the 20 haemagglutinin (HA)<sup> </sup>gene sequences, the whole genome of each of eight representative<sup> </sup>isolates was sequenced (Table 1).<sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->

    <center><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="95%"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"> View this table:
    <nobr>[in this window]
    [in a new window]

    </nobr> </td><td align="left" valign="top"> Table 1. List of H5N1 influenza viruses analysed in the present study
    </td></tr></tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table></center>
    The amplification of the eight viral gene segments was done<sup> </sup>by RT-PCR using gene-specific primers (available upon request).<sup> </sup>PCR products were purified (ExoSAP-IT) and sequenced in a 3130xl<sup> </sup>Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Phylogenetic analysis<sup> </sup>was performed using the neighbour-joining method in the MEGA3<sup> </sup>programme (Kumar et al., 2004). The tree topology was confirmed<sup> </sup>by the generation of a maximum-likelihood (ML) tree estimated<sup> </sup>using DNAML in the PHYLIP v3.6 package (tree not shown) (Felsenstein,<sup> </sup>1989). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession numbers of the eight<sup> </sup>gene segments of the isolates A/Houbara bustard/Saudi Arabia/6732-1/2007<sup> </sup>and A/turkey/Saudi Arabia/6732-6/2007 are EU445682<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:1" VALUE="EU445682" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE -->, EU590684<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:2" VALUE="EU590684" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE -->?EU590695<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:3" VALUE="EU590695" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE -->,<sup> </sup>EU424135<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:4" VALUE="EU424135" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE -->, EU424136<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:5" VALUE="EU424136" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE --> and EU596411.<sup> </sup> Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that all the 20<sup> </sup>KSA isolates belonged to genetic clade 2.2 (WHO/OIE/FAO H5N1<sup> </sup>Evolution working group, 2008) and that they were closely related<sup> </sup>to the viruses circulating in birds throughout Europe, Russia,<sup> </sup>Africa and the Middle East since late 2005.<sup> </sup>
    Interestingly, the phylogenetic trees produced for each of the<sup> </sup>eight genes showed that the sequences of the KSA viruses grouped<sup> </sup>into two distinct sublineages.<sup> </sup>
    The nucleotide (nt) sequences of the entire genome of the viruses<sup> </sup>isolated from domestic birds (A/ostrich/Saudi Arabia/6732-3/2007,<sup> </sup>A/turkey/Saudi Arabia/6732-6/2007, A/duck/Saudi Arabia/6732-7/2007,<sup> </sup>A/chicken/Saudi Arabia/6732-13/2007, A/chicken/Saudi Arabia/6732-4/2007,<sup> </sup>A/chicken/Saudi Arabia/6732-18/2007) were closely related to<sup> </sup>each other for all eight gene segments and were placed in sublineage<sup> </sup>2.2.2 (Fig. 1). The highest similarity was seen with H5N1<sup> </sup>viruses of the same sublineage isolated in Nigeria during 2006<sup> </sup>(the nt identity for the HA gene ranged between 98.9 and 99.6<sup> </sup>% with the A/ck/Nigeria/FA6/2006 strain). In contrast, the two<sup> </sup>viruses isolated from the Houbara bustard and falcon that were<sup> </sup>studied (A/Houbara bustard/Saudi Arabia/6732-1/2007 and A/falcon/Saudi<sup> </sup>Arabia/6732-2/2007) clearly clustered in sublineage 2.2.3. Interestingly,<sup> </sup>these two viruses had highest nt similarity in the HA gene with<sup> </sup>H5N1 viruses isolated in Kuwait from domestic birds and a falcon<sup> </sup>(99.8 % similarity with strain A/falcon/Kuwait/1019-7/2007)<sup> </sup>(Fig. 1).<sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->

    <center><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="95%"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">
    View larger version (42K):
    <nobr>[in this window]
    [in a new window]

    </nobr> </td><td align="left" valign="top"> Fig. 1. Phylogenetic tree for the HA gene constructed by the neighbour-joining method, which includes eight representative KSA viruses. The evolutionary distances were computed using the maximum composite likelihood method and are in the units of the number of base substitutions per site. Sequences obtained in this study were labelled with a filled circle. The numbers at each branch point represent bootstrap values and were determined by bootstrap analysis using 1000 replications. Bar, 0.005 nucleotide substitutions/site; *, sequence available in the EpiFlu database at the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID; http://platform.gisaid.org/).
    </td></tr></tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table></center>
    At the amino acid level, the HA0 cleavage site sequence of all<sup> </sup>20 isolates was PQGERRRKKR*GLF, which is identical to those<sup> </sup>of recent African, Asian and European H5N1 HPAI strains.<sup> </sup> Amino acid sequence analysis of the surface proteins revealed<sup> </sup>that KSA isolates did not possess mutations linked to an increased<sup> </sup>affinity toward human-like sialic acid substrates in the binding<sup> </sup>domain of the HA protein (Matrosovich et al., 1997). No molecular<sup> </sup>changes associated with a modified susceptibility to neuraminidase<sup> </sup>inhibitors were observed in the neuraminidase protein of the<sup> </sup>strains analysed. Notably, sequence analysis of the M2 ion channel<sup> </sup>protein showed that the KSA viruses belonging to 2.2.2 sublineage<sup> </sup>had the amino acid substitution S31N. It has been reported that<sup> </sup>this mutation confers resistance to adamantanes, a group of<sup> </sup>antiviral drugs used for treatment and prevention of human influenza<sup> </sup>A virus infections (Ilyushina et al., 2005; Suzuki et al., 2003).<sup> </sup>This substitution has been detected in amantadine-resistant<sup> </sup>H5N1 influenza viruses isolated from humans and poultry in Asia<sup> </sup>between 1996 and 2005 (Cheung et al., 2006; Ilyushina et al.,<sup> </sup>2005).<sup> </sup>
    The E627K mutation in the PB2 gene, which has been associated<sup> </sup>with an increase of virulence of influenza A viruses for mammals<sup> </sup>(Subbarao et al., 1993), was also detected in all the KSA viruses<sup> </sup>analysed in the present study.<sup> </sup>
    The amino acid sequence analyses of internal genes revealed<sup> </sup>the existence of three other host-specific mutations. In the<sup> </sup>NS1 gene of all the KSA strains belonging to the 2.2.2 sublineage,<sup> </sup>we observed the E227K mutation (Table 2). This mutation<sup> </sup>is located in the extreme C-terminal of the NS1, which has been<sup> </sup>demonstrated to modulate pathogenicity of avian influenza (AI)<sup> </sup>through mechanisms not completely clarified yet (Jackson et<sup> </sup>al., 2008; Obenauer et al., 2006). In particular the four C-terminal<sup> </sup>residues of the gene correspond to a PDZ ligand domain, which<sup> </sup>is a protein?protein recognition module that organizes<sup> </sup>diverse cell-signalling assemblies (Sheng & Sala, 2001).<sup> </sup>Avian influenza viruses naturally possess glutamic acid (E)<sup> </sup>at position 227, while human influenza viruses contain arginine<sup> </sup>(R) (Chen et al., 2006). Finkelstein et al. (2007) observed<sup> </sup>that H1N1 subtype viruses circulating during the 1918 ?Spanish?<sup> </sup>human pandemic, which are thought to have an avian progenitor<sup> </sup>virus, possessed the amino acid lysine (K) in this position,<sup> </sup>and were therefore similar to the KSA strains analysed in the<sup> </sup>present study. A recent reverse genetics study indicated that<sup> </sup>recombinant viruses containing C-terminal NS1 sequences from<sup> </sup>the 1918 H1N1 and some recent H5N1 HPAI viruses show increased<sup> </sup>virulence in mice (Jackson et al., 2008). The results of the<sup> </sup>BLAST search showed that the KSA viruses are the first reported<sup> </sup>H5N1 strains of the Qinghai (2.2) lineage possessing this mutation<sup> </sup>and apart from these, it seems that the E227K mutation has only<sup> </sup>been recorded in two H5N1 Indonesian strains isolated in 2005<sup> </sup>(GenBank accession numbers CY014189<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:6" VALUE="CY014189" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE --> and CY014196<!-- HIGHWIRE EXLINK_ID="89:11:2691:7" VALUE="CY014196" TYPEGUESS="GEN" --> [GenBank] <!-- /HIGHWIRE -->). Thus, the<sup> </sup>E227K mutation appears to be a rare amino acid signature which<sup> </sup>in this case was presumably acquired by H5N1 viruses in KSA<sup> </sup>in 2007.<sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->

    <center><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="95%"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e1e1e1"><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"> View this table:
    <nobr>[in this window]
    [in a new window]

    </nobr> </td><td align="left" valign="top"> Table 2. Typical amino acid signature of human influenza viruses observed in the Arabian strains
    </td></tr></tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table></center>
    Host markers conserved in the human influenza virus population<sup> </sup>(Chen et al., 2006) were detected in the PB1 gene (R327K) of<sup> </sup>the 2.2.2 lineage KSA strains and in the NP gene (V33I) of A/Houbara<sup> </sup>bustard/Saudi Arabia/6732-1/2007, A/falcon/Saudi Arabia/6732-2/2007,<sup> </sup>A/ostrich/Saudi Arabia/6732-3/2007 and A/chicken/Saudi Arabia/6732-4/2007<sup> </sup>strains (Table 2).<sup> </sup> From the results of the present investigation it appears that<sup> </sup>two distinct sublineages (2.2.2 and 2.2.3) are co-circulating<sup> </sup>in KSA in different compartments of avian husbandry. It can<sup> </sup>be inferred from this that there were two separate introductions<sup> </sup>of H5N1 into KSA, and that despite the circulation of H5N1 for<sup> </sup>almost a year, there appears to have been no spill-over from<sup> </sup>the captive bird to the domestic bird population or vice versa,<sup> </sup>suggesting that the two compartments are epidemiologically separated.<sup> </sup>This is apparently in contrast to the situation in neighbouring<sup> </sup>Kuwait, where 2.2.3 viruses apparently circulate in both populations<sup> </sup>(Fig. 1).<sup> </sup>
    The strains isolated from poultry in KSA were closely related<sup> </sup>to poultry viruses isolated in Nigeria. Surprisingly, the recent<sup> </sup>2007 KSA poultry isolates clustered together with early Nigerian<sup> </sup>strains obtained in 2006, rather than with viruses that appeared<sup> </sup>to be predominant in 2007 (Monne et al., 2008). This suggests<sup> </sup>an early epidemiological connection between KSA and Nigeria<sup> </sup>resulting in spread from one country to another or that the<sup> </sup>viruses spreading to these two countries came from a common<sup> </sup>source. Spread of descendants of early Nigerian viruses seems<sup> </sup>to have occurred efficiently in diverse avian species reared<sup> </sup>commercially (chickens, turkeys, ostriches and ducks) and farms<sup> </sup>located in different parts of the Kingdom, suggesting poor biosecurity<sup> </sup>across the commercial sector.<sup> </sup>
    Our findings in KSA do not represent the first report of multiple<sup> </sup>introductions of HPAI H5N1 avian influenza viruses into a given<sup> </sup>country. The three distinct H5N1 sublineages were identified<sup> </sup>in wild birds in Germany between 2006 and 2007 (Starick et al.,<sup> </sup>2008). During 2006, two distinct sublineages of the HPAI H5N1<sup> </sup>were also introduced into Italy (Salzberg et al., 2007) and<sup> </sup>France (Le Gall-Recul? et al., 2008) through wild birds.<sup> </sup>
    To the best of our knowledge, the introduction of multiple H5N1<sup> </sup>genogroups in European countries has not resulted in the generation<sup> </sup>of reassortant strains. This is probably due to the fact that<sup> </sup>infections in Europe have been mainly confined to wild bird<sup> </sup>populations and extensive virus circulation in poultry has been<sup> </sup>avoided.<sup> </sup>
    In contrast, it was shown recently that the co-circulation of<sup> </sup>two sublineages (2.2.1 and 2.2.2) in Nigerian poultry resulted<sup> </sup>in the generation of a novel 2.2.1/ 2.2.2 reassortant strain<sup> </sup>that became predominant in 2007 (Monne et al., 2008). Based<sup> </sup>on the results of the present study, it is possible that a novel<sup> </sup>scenario exists in the KSA. In this country, multiple introductions<sup> </sup>of HPAI H5N1 viruses have led to the co-circulation of at least<sup> </sup>two different virus sublineages, which appear so far to have<sup> </sup>been maintained separated in distinct avian compartments. However,<sup> </sup>this separation might not be maintained in the future, especially<sup> </sup>if spread of the virus is not efficiently controlled in the<sup> </sup>country. Control policies may be aided by vaccination of susceptible<sup> </sup>birds, including falcons (Lierz et al., 2007).<sup> </sup>
    In addition to the virulence markers that are present in most<sup> </sup>Qinghai-lineage (2.2) viruses, such as the PB2 E627K mutation,<sup> </sup>the KSA isolates of 2.2.2 sublineage from domestic birds exhibited<sup> </sup>a specific mutation, S31N, in the M2 protein, which is associated<sup> </sup>with resistance to adamantane antivirals such as amantadine.<sup> </sup>Other mutations, known as genetic markers of human influenza<sup> </sup>A viruses, namely NS E227K, PB1 R327K and NP V33I, have also<sup> </sup>been detected (Table 2). These findings raise concerns<sup> </sup>for the possible human health implications of these genotypes,<sup> </sup>in view of the local husbandry methods.<sup> </sup>
    It should be noted that in the Middle East, in addition to the<sup> </sup>circulation of the H5N1 viruses described here, there is evidence<sup> </sup>of extensive circulation of H9N2 viruses (Aamir et al., 2007,<sup> </sup>Monne et al., 2007). The co-circulation of H9N2 and H5N1 subtypes<sup> </sup>of AI increases concerns about the generation of reassortant<sup> </sup>viruses with potential animal and human health implications.<sup> </sup>
    The findings of this study indicate that improved surveillance<sup> </sup>programmes are essential to monitor the situation in the KSA.<sup> </sup>
    <sup> </sup>
    <sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->
    <table bgcolor="#e1e1e1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="middle" width="5%"></td> <th align="left" valign="middle" width="95%"> ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS </th></tr></tbody></table>
    This study was possible through the support and the assistance<sup> </sup>provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United<sup> </sup>Nations (FAO). The authors wish to thank FAO/AGAH for facilitating<sup> </sup>samples submission and Dr Dennis Alexander for his invaluable<sup> </sup>assistance. This work was also supported by the EU project EPIZONE<sup> </sup>(Network of Excellence of Epizootic Disease Diagnosis and Control).<sup> </sup>
    <!-- null -->
    <table bgcolor="#e1e1e1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="middle" width="5%"></td> <th align="left" valign="middle" width="95%"> REFERENCES </th></tr></tbody></table> <table align="right" border="1" cellpadding="5"><tbody><tr><th align="left"> TOP
    ABSTRACT
    MAIN TEXT
    REFERENCES
    </th></tr></tbody></table>
    <!-- null -->Aamir, U. B., Wernery, U., Ilyushina, N. & Webster, R. G. (2007). Characterization of avian H9N2 influenza viruses from United Arab Emirates 2000 to 2003. Virology 361, 45?55.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:1" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Alexander, D. J. (2007). Summary of avian influenza activity in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, 2002?2006. Avian Dis 51, 161?166.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:2" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Alexander, D. J. & Spackman, D. (1981). Characterisation of influenza A viruses isolated from turkeys in England during March-May 1979. Avian Pathol 10, 281?293.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:3" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Bailey, T., Launay, F. & Sullivan, T. (2000). Health issues of the international trade of falcons and bustards in the Middle East: the need for regional monitoring and regulation? In Proceedings of the II International Conference on the Saker Falcon and Houbara Bustard, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, pp. 185?195 (in Russian). http://www.ead.ae/TacSoft/FileManage...microchips.pdf<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:4" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Chen, G. W., Chang, S. C., Mok, C. K., Lo, Y. L., Kung, Y. N., Huang, J. H., Shih, Y. H., Wang, J. Y., Chiang, C. & other authors (2006). Genomic signatures of human versus avian influenza A viruses. Emerg Infect Dis 12, 1353?1360.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:5" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Cheung, C. L., Rayner, J. M., Smith, G. J. D., Wang, P., Naipospos, T. S. P., Zhang, J., Yuen, K. Y., Webster, R. G., Peiris, H. S. M. & other authors (2006). Distribution of amantadine-resistant H5N1 avian influenza variants in Asia. J Infect Dis 193, 1626?1629.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:6" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->European Commission (2006). Council directive 2005/94/EC of December 20, 2005 on Community measures for the control of avian influenza and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC. Official Journal of the European Union L010, 16?65. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/...16:0065:EN:PDF<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:7" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Fasina, F. O., Bisschop, S. P. & Webster, R. G. (2007). Avian influenza H5N1 in Africa: an epidemiological twist. Lancet Infect Dis 7, 696?697.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:8" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Felsenstein, J. (1989). PHYLIP ? phylogeny inference package (version 3.2). Cladistics 5, 164?166.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:9" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Finkelstein, D. B., Mukatira, S., Mehta, P. K., Obenauer, J. C., Su, X., Webster, R. G. & Naeve, C. W. (2007). Persistent host markers in pandemic and H5N1 influenza viruses. J Virol 81, 10292?10299.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:10" --><nobr>[Abstract/Free Full Text]</nobr><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Gaidet, N., Dodman, T., Caron, A., Balan?a, G., Desvaux, S., Goutard, F., Cattoli, G., Lamarque, F., Hagemeijer, W. & Monicat, F. (2007). Avian influenza viruses in water birds, Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 13, 626?629.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:11" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Ilyushina, N. A., Govorkova, E. A. & Webster, R. G. (2005). Detection of amantadine-resistant variants among avian influenza viruses isolated in North America and Asia. Virology 341, 102?106.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:12" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Jackson, D., Hossain, M. J., Hickman, D., Perez, D. R. & Lamb, R. A. (2008). A new influenza virus virulence determinant: the NS1 protein four C-terminal residues modulate pathogenicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105, 4381?4386.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:13" --><nobr>[Abstract/Free Full Text]</nobr><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Kumar, S., Tamura, K. & Nei, M. (2004). MEGA3: integrated software for molecular evolutionary analysis and sequence alignment. Brief Bioinform 5, 150?163.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:14" --><nobr>[Abstract/Free Full Text]</nobr><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Le Gall-Recul?, G., Briand, F. X., Schmitz, A., Guionie, O., Massin, P. & Jestin, V. (2008). Double introduction of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus into France in early 2006. Avian Pathol 37, 15?23.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:15" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Lierz, M., Hafez, H. M., Klopfleisch, R., L?schow, D., Prusas, C., Teifke, J. P., Rudolf, M., Grund, C., Kalthoff, D. & other authors (2007). Protection and virus shedding of falcons vaccinated against highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1). Emerg Infect Dis 13, 1667?1674.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:16" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Matrosovich, M. N., Gambaryan, A. S., Teneberg, S., Piskarev, V. E., Yamnikova, S. S., Lvov, D. K., Robertson, J. S. & Karlsson, K. A. (1997). Avian influenza A viruses differ from human viruses by recognition of sialyloligosaccharides and gangliosides and by a higher conservation of the HA receptor-binding site. Virology 233, 224?234.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:17" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Monne, I., Cattoli, G., Mazzacan, E., Amarin, N. M., Al Maaitah, H. M., Al-Natour, M. Q. & Capua, I. (2007). Genetic comparison of H9N2 AI viruses isolated in Jordan in 2003. Avian Dis 51, 451?454.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:18" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Monne, I., Joannis, T. M., Fusaro, A., De Benedictis, P., Lombin, L. H., Ularamu, H., Egbuji, A., Solomon, P., Cattoli, G. & Capua, I. (2008). Reassortant avian influenza virus (H5N1) in poultry, Nigeria, 2007. Emerg Infect Dis 14, 637?640.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:19" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Obenauer, J. C., Denson, J., Mehta, P. K., Su, X., Mukatira, S., Finkelstein, D. B., Xu, X., Wang, J., Ma, J. & other authors (2006). Large-scale sequence analysis of avian influenza isolates. Science 311, 1576?1580.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:20" --><nobr>[Abstract/Free Full Text]</nobr><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->OIE (2005). Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, vol. I and II, 5th edn. Paris: Office International des Epizooties. http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/a_summry.htm<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:21" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->OIE (2008). Update on highly pathogenic avian influenza in animals; Office International des Epizooties. http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20IN.../A_AI-Asia.htm<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:22" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Pittman, M. & Laddomada, A. (2008). Legislation for the control of avian influenza in the European Union. Zoonoses Public Health 55, 29?36.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:23" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->ProMED-mail (2006). Avian Influenza ? Eurasia (39): Saudi Arabia, falcon. ProMED-mail 2006, 1 Feb: 20060201.0325. http://www.promedmail.org<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:24" --><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Salzberg, S. L., Kingsford, C., Cattoli, G., Spiro, D. J., Janies, D. A., Aly, M. M., Brown, I. H., Couacy-Hymann, E., De Mia, G. M. & other authors (2007). Genome analysis linking recent European and African influenza (H5N1) viruses. Emerg Infect Dis 13, 713?718.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:25" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Sheng, M. & Sala, C. (2001). PDZ domains and the organization of supramolecular complexes. Annu Rev Neurosci 24, 1?29.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:26" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Starick, E., Beer, M., Hoffmann, B., Staubach, C., Werner, O., Globig, A., Strebelow, G., Grund, C., Durban, M. & other authors (2008). Phylogenetic analyses of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolates from Germany in 2006 and 2007 suggest at least three separate introductions of H5N1 virus. Vet Microbiol 128, 243?252.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:27" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Subbarao, E. K., London, W. & Murphy, B. R. (1993). A single amino acid in the PB2 gene of influenza A virus is a determinant of host range. J Virol 67, 1761?1764.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:28" --><nobr>[Abstract/Free Full Text]</nobr><!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->Suzuki, H., Saito, R., Masuda, H., Oshitani, H., Sato, M. & Satu, I. (2003). Emergence of amantadine-resistant influenza A viruses: epidemiological study. J Infect Chemother 9, 195?200.<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:29" -->[CrossRef][Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    <!-- null -->WHO/OIE/FAO H5N1 Evolution working group (2008). Towards a unified nomenclature system for the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses. Emerg Infect Dis 14, e1<!-- HIGHWIRE ID="89:11:2691:30" -->[Medline]<!-- /HIGHWIRE -->
    Received 15 May 2008; accepted 2 July 2008.


    http://vir.sgmjournals.org/cgi/content/full/89/11/2691

  • #2
    Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

    Travel log for S31N

    gb|CY036224.1| Influenza A virus (A/common buzzard/Hong Kong/... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY030518.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Vietnam/NCVD-42/2... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY030464.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Vietnam/NCVD-34/2007... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY030402.1| Influenza A virus (A/Muscovy duck/Vietnam/NCVD... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY035244.1| Influenza A virus (A/falcon/Saudi Arabia/D1936... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY035127.1| Influenza A virus (A/St. Petersburg/8/2006(H1N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY034723.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Laos/P0171/2007(H... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU716624.1| Influenza A virus (A/Massachusetts/01/2008(H1N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU716611.1| Influenza A virus (A/Minnesota/25/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU716609.1| Influenza A virus (A/Oregon/07/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU716595.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hawaii/38/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU716573.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hawaii/38/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031389.1| Influenza A virus (A/Auckland/8/2007(H1N1)) se... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031381.1| Influenza A virus (A/Thailand/486/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031377.1| Influenza A virus (A/Philippines/3150/2007(H1N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031371.1| Influenza A virus (A/Guam/1/2007(H1N1)) segmen... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031369.1| Influenza A virus (A/Malaysia/862/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031361.1| Influenza A virus (A/Singapore/43/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031355.1| Influenza A virus (A/Malaysia/330/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031353.1| Influenza A virus (A/Jeju/2279/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031351.1| Influenza A virus (A/Macau/189/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031349.1| Influenza A virus (A/Victoria/501/2007(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031343.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hong Kong/2652/2006(H1N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY031335.1| Influenza A virus (A/Victoria/500/2006(H1N1)) ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU590690.1| Influenza A virus (A/turkey/Saudi Arabia/6732-... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029240.1| Influenza A virus (A/pheasant/Shantou/3535/200... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029191.1| Influenza A virus (A/silky chicken/Shantou/407... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029184.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Shantou/4059/2002... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029177.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Shantou/3900/2002... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029142.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Shantou/753/2002(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029002.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Shantou/195/2001(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU516158.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hawaii/19/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU516156.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hawaii/16/2007(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY029778.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Malaysia/5223/200... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY026524.1| Influenza A virus (A/Colorado/UR06-0053/2007(H... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146649.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/160H/2005(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146738.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/534H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146746.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/538H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146756.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/535H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146757.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/536H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146758.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/546H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146787.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/560H/2006(H5N1)... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU146794.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/546bH/2006(H5N1... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU100622.1| Influenza A virus (A/Virginia/1/2006(H1N1)) se... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EU100612.1| Influenza A virus (A/Arizona/1/2006(H1N1)) seg... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF175673.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Hebei/126/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF175672.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Hebei/102/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ835772.1| Influenza A virus (A/golden mountain thrush/Fu... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ835771.1| Influenza A virus (A/babbler/Fujian/320/04(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    dbj|AB286014.1| Influenza A virus (A/Hanoi/TX09/2006(H1N1)) g... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY020270.1| Influenza A virus (A/Western Australia/18/2001... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF473079.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Indonesia/7/2003(... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124189.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Fujian/12239/2005... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124183.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Guangxi/1550/2006(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124176.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Guiyang/1655/2006... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124175.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Guiyang/237/2006(... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124158.1| Influenza A virus (A/Guinea fowl/Shantou/1341/... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124145.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Yunnan/4804/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124143.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Yunnan/4494/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124142.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Yunnan/4400/2005(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124117.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Fujian/584/2006(H... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124115.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Fujian/11933/2005... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124098.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Shantou/3923/2006... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124097.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Shantou/3840/2006... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124058.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Guangxi/89/2006(H5N1... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124057.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Guiyang/441/2006(... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124056.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Guiyang/337/2006(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|EF124055.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Guiyang/2231/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ914817.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Shanxi/2/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ997409.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Zhejiang/bj/2002(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014478.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC599N/2006(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014469.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC625L/2006(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014437.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC625/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014306.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC599/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014299.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC597/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014291.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC596/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014283.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC595/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014275.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC594/2006(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY014214.1| Influenza A virus (A/Indonesia/CDC184/2005(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|CY010773.1| Influenza A virus (A/Canterbury/22/2001(H1N1))... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ492929.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Tarutung/BPPVI/20... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ492928.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Deli Serdang/BPPV... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ492927.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Dairi/BPPVI/2005(... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ492926.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Tebing Tinggi/BPP... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ492925.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Simalanggang/BPPV... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY651419.1| Influenza A virus (A/Dk/ST/4003/2003(H5N1)) me... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY651411.1| Influenza A virus (A/Ck/HK/WF157/2003(H5N1)) m... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY651377.1| Influenza A virus (A/Ck/Indonesia/2A/2003(H5N1... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY575903.1| Influenza A virus (A/Ck/HK/409.1/02 (H5N1)) ma... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY575902.1| Influenza A virus (A/Ck/HK/96.1/02 (H5N1)) mat... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY575899.1| Influenza A virus (A/Ck/HK/31.4/02 (H5N1)) mat... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY575894.1| Influenza A virus (A/HK/213/03 (H5N1)) matrix ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY575893.1| Influenza A virus (A/HK/212/03 (H5N1)) matrix ... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ095648.1| Influenza A virus (A/Goose/Shantou/1621/05(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ320994.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Salatiga/BBVet-I/... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ320980.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Shantou/4610/2003(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ320944.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Guangxi/380/2004(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ320943.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Guangxi/351/2004(H5N... 38.2 0.17
    dbj|AB212057.1| Influenza A virus(A/Hong Kong/213/03(H5N1)) M... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ351860.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Hebei/108/02(H5N1... 38.2 0.17
    gb|DQ351859.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Hebei/326/2005(H5... 38.2 0.17
    gb|AY737298.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Guangdong/178/04(... 38.2 0.17

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

      >>Incursions into the European Union have been seen<SUP> </SUP>mainly in wild birds, and the limited outbreaks occurring in<SUP> </SUP>poultry, as a result of the spread from wild birds or from poultry<SUP> </SUP>to other domestic birds, have been promptly eradicated in the<SUP> </SUP>vast majority of the European countries (Pittman & Laddomada,<SUP> </SUP>2008). In contrast, in Africa and in the Middle East, since<SUP> </SUP>the first outbreaks reported in early 2006, there has been extensive<SUP> </SUP>spread and circulation of H5N1 virus in poultry, but only an<SUP> </SUP>extremely limited number of isolations from wild birds (Fasina<SUP> </SUP>et al., 2007; Gaidet et al., 2007). To date it is still unclear<SUP> </SUP>how H5N1 virus reached these two regions, whether through wild<SUP> </SUP>bird movements, trade of infected poultry commodities or both.<SUP> <<</SUP>
      <SUP></SUP>
      <SUP>It is only unclear to a VERY small subset, including those who ignore the H5N1 in a (wild) healthy teal in Egypt in 2005.</SUP>

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

        Some of those Saudi falcons ride on private jets to hunt houbara bustard in the northern mountains of Afghanistan and other countries. To know what pathogens they've contacted you'd have to check their passports or the jet's flight records.

        .
        "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

          Originally posted by AlaskaDenise View Post
          Some of those Saudi falcons ride on private jets to hunt houbara bustard in the northern mountains of Afghanistan and other countries. To know what pathogens they've contacted you'd have to check their passports or the jet's flight records.

          .
          I knew falconry was big; I just had no idea how big.

          A google search with words: falconry camps Afghanistan was interesting, to say the least.

          Here, we have info on an upcoming festival in the UK next July http://www.falconryfestival.com/info/faqs/

          Some sponsorship money is already pledged to help pay travel costs for Falconers from UAE, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghistan, China, Georgia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the IAF (falconers from about 30 nations, 20 falconers' camps are scheduled to attend).

          WHAT ABOUT AVIAN FLU?
          There is always a risk of disease. This will depend on the proximity of the outbreak. If there is a serious local outbreak the event will be re-structured. Obviously if your bird has any health problems, it should be left at home.
          The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

            The clade 2.2.3 sequences (in falcons and throughout Europe in 2007/2008) trace back to the wild bird outbreak at Uvs Lake in 2006. Falcons are linked to wild birds, not trade shows.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

              see also this thread:
              I'm interested in expert panflu damage estimates
              my current links: http://bit.ly/hFI7H ILI-charts: http://bit.ly/CcRgT

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

                Originally posted by mixin View Post
                I knew falconry was big; I just had no idea how big.

                A google search with words: falconry camps Afghanistan was interesting, to say the least.

                Here, we have info on an upcoming festival in the UK next July http://www.falconryfestival.com/info/faqs/

                Some sponsorship money is already pledged to help pay travel costs for Falconers from UAE, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghistan, China, Georgia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the IAF (falconers from about 30 nations, 20 falconers' camps are scheduled to attend).

                WHAT ABOUT AVIAN FLU?
                There is always a risk of disease. This will depend on the proximity of the outbreak. If there is a serious local outbreak the event will be re-structured. Obviously if your bird has any health problems, it should be left at home.
                Below are the top 100 HA matches. No falcon fairy tales required.


                gb|EU424135.1| Influenza A virus (A/houbara bustard/Saudi Ara... 3153 0.0
                gb|EU700511.1| Influenza A virus (A/saker falcon/Kuwait/0286/... 3142 0.0
                gb|CY029988.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR8/2007... 3142 0.0
                gb|CY029980.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR7/2007... 3142 0.0
                gb|CY029972.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR6/2007... 3142 0.0
                gb|EU391537.1| Influenza A virus (A/falcon/Kuwait/1019-7/2007... 3136 0.0
                gb|CY029964.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR5/2007... 3136 0.0
                gb|CY029996.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR9/2007... 3131 0.0
                gb|CY029956.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR3/2007... 3131 0.0
                gb|CY029948.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Kuwait/KISR2/2007... 3125 0.0
                emb|AM773724.1| Influenza A virus (A/black-necked grebe/Germa... 3114 0.0
                gb|EU443554.1| Influenza A virus (A/turkey/Czech Republic/103... 3109 0.0
                gb|EU443553.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Czech Republic/11... 3109 0.0
                dbj|AB284324.1| Influenza A virus (A/common goldeneye/Mongoli... 3103 0.0
                dbj|AB263752.1| Influenza A virus (A/whooper swan/Mongolia/2/... 3103 0.0
                gb|EU443555.1| Influenza A virus (A/Cygnus olor/Czech Republi... 3097 0.0
                emb|AM749443.1| Influenza A virus (A/mute swan/Germany/R1359/... 3097 0.0
                gb|DQ914808.1| Influenza A virus (A/grebe/Tyva/Tyv06-1/2006(H... 3097 0.0
                gb|EU650486.1| Influenza A virus (A/falcon/Saudi Arabia/6732-... 3096 0.0
                gb|EU257631.1| Influenza A virus (A/Cygnus cygnus/Krasnodar/3... 3092 0.0
                gb|EU163431.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Krasnodar/300/07(... 3092 0.0
                gb|FJ183472.1| Influenza A virus (A/mallard/Bavaria/10/2007(H... 3086 0.0
                gb|CY034733.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Manshera/NARC1033... 3086 0.0
                gb|EU401795.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Lahore-Pakistan/NAR... 3086 0.0
                gb|EU233691.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Korea/CA7/2006(H5... 3086 0.0
                emb|AM749442.1| Influenza A virus (A/mute swan/Germany/R1349/... 3086 0.0
                gb|CY021373.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Afghanistan/1573-... 3086 0.0
                gb|CY020621.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Afghanistan/1573-... 3086 0.0
                gb|EU233707.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Korea/Asan5/2006(H5N... 3081 0.0
                gb|EU233715.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Korea/Asan6/2006(H5N... 3081 0.0
                gb|EU233731.1| Influenza A virus (A/environment/Korea/W149/20... 3081 0.0
                gb|CY020637.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Afghanistan/1573-... 3081 0.0
                gb|DQ861291.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Tuva/01/2006(H5N1)) ... 3081 0.0
                gb|CY020629.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Afghanistan/1573-... 3075 0.0
                gb|FJ390028.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Astana/6/2005(H5N... 3072 0.0
                gb|CY034725.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Islamabad/NARC7757/... 3070 0.0
                gb|EU233675.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Korea/IS/2006(H5N... 3070 0.0
                gb|EU233683.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Korea/IS2/2006(H5... 3070 0.0
                gb|DQ863503.1| Influenza A virus (A/Grebe/Tyva/Tyv06-8/2006(H... 3070 0.0
                gb|DQ852600.1| Influenza A virus (A/grebe/Tyva/Tyv06-2/06(H5N... 3070 0.0
                gb|EU401794.1| Influenza A virus (A/turkey/Islamabad-Pakistan... 3064 0.0
                gb|EU233739.1| Influenza A virus (A/environment/Korea/W150/20... 3064 0.0
                gb|CY016787.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Afghanistan/1207/... 3064 0.0
                gb|EF362426.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/India/NIV33491/06... 3059 0.0
                gb|EF362418.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/India/NIV33487/06... 3059 0.0
                gb|DQ864715.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Adygea/203/06(H5N... 3053 0.0
                gb|EU233723.1| Influenza A virus (A/quail/Korea/KJ4/2006(H5N1... 3051 0.0
                gb|CY016779.1| Influenza A virus (A/cygnus cygnus/Iran/754/20... 3048 0.0
                gb|CY034729.1| Influenza A virus (A/crow/Peshawer/NARC7914/20... 3042 0.0
                gb|CY034727.1| Influenza A virus (A/turkey/Islamabad/NARC7873... 3042 0.0
                gb|EU401796.1| Influenza A virus (A/peacock/Mansehra-Pakistan... 3042 0.0
                gb|EF605603.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Russia_Krasnodar/... 3038 0.0
                gb|DQ864720.1| Influenza A virus (A/cat/Dagestan/87/06(H5N1))... 3038 0.0
                gb|EU233699.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Korea/IS3/2006(H5... 3037 0.0
                gb|EF205159.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Krasnodar/123/06(... 3037 0.0
                gb|EU332354.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Romania/TL/nov/2007(... 3035 0.0
                gb|EU332353.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Romania/TL/nov/20... 3035 0.0
                gb|EU332352.1| Influenza A virus (A/cat/Romania/TL/nov/2007(H... 3035 0.0
                gb|CY034731.1| Influenza A virus (A/peacock/Chakshahzad/NARC9... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ887061.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Navapur/7972/2006... 3031 0.0
                gb|EF205155.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Omsk/14/05(H5N1))... 3031 0.0
                gb|CY016939.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Nigeria/1047-30/2... 3031 0.0
                gb|CY016284.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Nigeria/957-20/20... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ864711.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Novosibirsk/02/05(H5... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ095617.2| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ095613.2| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ095612.2| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ230522.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Novosibirsk/56/2005(... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ095620.1| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3031 0.0
                gb|DQ095619.1| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3029 0.0
                gb|DQ864717.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Crimea/615/05(H5N1)... 3027 0.0
                gb|CY017179.1| Influenza A virus (A/guinea fowl/Nigeria/957-1... 3025 0.0
                gb|CY017035.1| Influenza A virus (A/cygnus olor/Italy/742/200... 3025 0.0
                gb|CY016947.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Nigeria/1047-34/2... 3025 0.0
                gb|CY016907.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Nigeria/1047-8/20... 3025 0.0
                gb|CY016819.1| Influenza A virus (A/cygnus olor/Croatia/1/200... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ650663.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Crimea/08/2005(H5... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ676834.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Krasnodar/01/2006... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ095621.2| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ095618.2| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ230521.1| Influenza A virus (A/grebe/Novosibirsk/29/2005... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ095615.1| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ320921.1| Influenza A virus (A/migratory duck/Jiangxi/23... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ320920.1| Influenza A virus (A/migratory duck/Jiangxi/22... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ320919.1| Influenza A virus (A/migratory duck/Jiangxi/21... 3025 0.0
                gb|DQ095623.1| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3024 0.0
                gb|DQ095622.1| Influenza A virus (A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/... 3024 0.0
                emb|AM503002.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Nigeria/AB13/200... 3020 0.0
                emb|AM492165.1| Influenza A virus (A/stone marten/Germany/R74... 3020 0.0
                emb|AM403462.1| Influenza A virus (A/whooper swan/Germany/R88... 3020 0.0
                gb|CY017027.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Niger/914/2006(H5N1)... 3020 0.0
                gb|DQ864721.1| Influenza A virus (A/wild duck/Omsk/103-01/05(... 3020 0.0
                gb|DQ650659.1| Influenza A virus (A/chicken/Crimea/04/2005(H5... 3020 0.0
                gb|DQ095616.2| Influenza A virus (A/Brown-headed Gull/Qinghai... 3020 0.0
                gb|DQ412997.2| Influenza A virus (A/Cygnus olor/Italy/742/200... 3018 0.0
                gb|EU190482.1| Influenza A virus (A/domestic goose/Pavlodar/1... 3014 0.0
                emb|AM403460.2| Influenza A virus (A/mute swan/Germany/R65/06... 3014 0.0
                gb|EF205157.1| Influenza A virus (A/goose/Krasnoozerskoe/627/... 3014 0.0
                emb|AM403469.1| Influenza A virus (A/coot/Germany/R655/06(H5N... 3014 0.0
                emb|AM403464.1| Influenza A virus (A/duck/Germany/R338/06(H5N... 3014 0.0

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

                  Originally posted by mixin View Post
                  I knew falconry was big; I just had no idea how big.

                  A google search with words: falconry camps Afghanistan was interesting, to say the least.

                  Here, we have info on an upcoming festival in the UK next July http://www.falconryfestival.com/info/faqs/

                  Some sponsorship money is already pledged to help pay travel costs for Falconers from UAE, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghistan, China, Georgia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the IAF (falconers from about 30 nations, 20 falconers' camps are scheduled to attend).

                  WHAT ABOUT AVIAN FLU?
                  There is always a risk of disease. This will depend on the proximity of the outbreak. If there is a serious local outbreak the event will be re-structured. Obviously if your bird has any health problems, it should be left at home.
                  The Uvs Lake story is quite straightforward and somewhat clearer with phylogenetic analysis. It has NOTHING to do with falcons.

                  Uvs Lake is clade 2.2.3 and evolved from 2.2.3 circulating in Europe in early 2006. In the summer of 2006 it formed at Uvs Lake in Mongolia (grebes and whooper swans) and across the border in Siberia (Tyva). The wild bird deaths were MASSIVE and on a par with Qinghai Lake a year earlier.

                  The Uvs Lake strain flew to South Korea and Japan in late 2006 where it was reported and sequences published. In early 2007 in was in Kuwait (in poultry AND falcons). It the appear in Europe in the summer of 2007 (in Germany, the Czech Republic, and France). This was followed by an outbreak in southern Russia (Krasnodar) as well as throughout Europe (wild birds and poultry) and Saudi Arabia (wild birds and falcons).

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

                    Niman, Please...

                    I was only expanding on AlaskaDenise's comment here:

                    Originally posted by AlaskaDenise View Post
                    Some of those Saudi falcons ride on private jets to hunt houbara bustard in the northern mountains of Afghanistan and other countries. To know what pathogens they've contacted you'd have to check their passports or the jet's flight records.

                    .
                    And I found it interesting that there was enough concern about bird flu that the question was among the faq.
                    The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

                      astonishing how these Nigeria-sequences flew into KSA
                      Not astonishing at all. Just look at major flyways (or how H5N1 got to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in late 2005 / early 2006).
                      I'm interested in expert panflu damage estimates
                      my current links: http://bit.ly/hFI7H ILI-charts: http://bit.ly/CcRgT

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Co-circulation of two sublineages of HPAI H5N1 virus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with unique molecular signatures suggesting separate introductions into the commercial poultry and falconry sectors

                        Originally posted by gsgs View Post
                        astonishing how these Nigeria-sequences flew into KSA.
                        Not astonishing at all. Just look at major flyways (or how H5N1 got to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in late 2005 / early 2006).

                        The only thing astonishing is that at this point anyone would find this H5N1 movement astonishing (especially if Uvs Lake clade 2.2.3 sequences are analyzed).

                        Comment

                        Working...
                        X