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Emerg Infect Dis
. 2022 Dec;28(12):2538-2542.
doi: 10.3201/eid2812.221292.
Mass Mortality Caused by Highly Pathogenic Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Sandwich Terns, the Netherlands, 2022
Jolianne M Rijks, Mardik F Leopold, Susanne Kühn, Ronald In 't Veld, Fred Schenk, Allix Brenninkmeijer, Sander J Lilipaly, Mónika Z Ballmann, Leon Kelder, Job W de Jong, Wouter Courtens, Roy Slaterus, Erik Kleyheeg, Sandra Vreman, Marja J L Kik, Andrea Gröne, Ron A M Fouchier, Marc Engelsma, Mart C M de Jong, Thijs Kuiken, Nancy Beerens
- PMID: 36418000
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2812.221292
Abstract
We collected data on mass mortality in Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) during the 2022 breeding season in the Netherlands. Mortality was associated with at least 2 variants of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b. We report on carcass removal efforts relative to survival in colonies. Mitigation strategies urgently require structured research.
Keywords: Charadriiformes; H5N1 subtype; Sandwich terns; Thalasseus sandvicensis; breeding; disease outbreaks; influenza; influenza A virus; influenza in birds; primary disease prevention; respiratory infections; seasons; the Netherlands; viruses; wild animals; zoonoses.