Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2015/02/avian-flu-scan-feb-19-2015
Avian Flu Scan for Feb 19, 2015
US avian flu lineages; H5N1 in Nigeria
Filed Under:
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
[h=3]Study: Eurasian avian flu lineages causing North American outbreaks[/h] Phylogenetic analysis of H5N8 and H5N2 avian flu strains from wild waterfowl and a captive gyrfalcon in northwestern states in December showed high similarity with Eurasian avian flu lineages, according to a study yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The analysis also suggested that the novel H5N8 reassortant may be well adapted to some waterfowl species, enabling it to survive long migrations. The appearance of that reassorted strain marked the first time highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was discovered in the United States.
The authors, who are federal and Washington state researchers, said the three major findings of their analysis were that (1) the Eurasian lineage of H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 virus survived introduction into North America in its entirety, (2) the introduction of Eurasian H5N8 into North America appears to be independent from introductions of the virus into Europe, and (3) the duration of circulation of H5N8 virus in the Pacific flyway is unknown, but it was sufficient for reassortment with low-pathogenicity North American lineage wild bird avian flu virus.
Whole-genome sequencing also indicated that the US H5N2 virus was highly similar to recent H5N2 reassortants from British Columbia.
The authors conclude, "The ongoing circulation of these Eurasian HPAI H5 viruses in wild birds considerably alters the potential risks and subsequent consequences for US poultry and wildlife rehabilitation centers."
Feb 18 Emerg Infect Dis study
[h=3]H5N1 hits poultry in three Nigerian states[/h] Nigeria's agriculture ministry has reported 12 more highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreaks affecting three different states, according to an update today from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Details of the additional outbreaks come in the wake of another H5N1 event reported yesterday from Ogun state.
In today's report, officials said the virus was detected in backyard layers in Plateau state, on a farm housing 35-week-old layers in Kano state, in backyard birds in Bauchi state, and in a cluster of 9 outbreaks at other layer farms in Kano state. The locations are all in the north central part of Nigeria.
From a total of 40,235 susceptible birds at the 12 locations, the virus killed 1,236, and the remaining birds were destroyed to curb the spread of the virus.
The H5N1 virus turned up in Nigerian poultry in early January, the first reported in the country since July 2008.
Feb 19 OIE report
Avian Flu Scan for Feb 19, 2015
US avian flu lineages; H5N1 in Nigeria
Filed Under:
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
[h=3]Study: Eurasian avian flu lineages causing North American outbreaks[/h] Phylogenetic analysis of H5N8 and H5N2 avian flu strains from wild waterfowl and a captive gyrfalcon in northwestern states in December showed high similarity with Eurasian avian flu lineages, according to a study yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The analysis also suggested that the novel H5N8 reassortant may be well adapted to some waterfowl species, enabling it to survive long migrations. The appearance of that reassorted strain marked the first time highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was discovered in the United States.
The authors, who are federal and Washington state researchers, said the three major findings of their analysis were that (1) the Eurasian lineage of H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 virus survived introduction into North America in its entirety, (2) the introduction of Eurasian H5N8 into North America appears to be independent from introductions of the virus into Europe, and (3) the duration of circulation of H5N8 virus in the Pacific flyway is unknown, but it was sufficient for reassortment with low-pathogenicity North American lineage wild bird avian flu virus.
Whole-genome sequencing also indicated that the US H5N2 virus was highly similar to recent H5N2 reassortants from British Columbia.
The authors conclude, "The ongoing circulation of these Eurasian HPAI H5 viruses in wild birds considerably alters the potential risks and subsequent consequences for US poultry and wildlife rehabilitation centers."
Feb 18 Emerg Infect Dis study
[h=3]H5N1 hits poultry in three Nigerian states[/h] Nigeria's agriculture ministry has reported 12 more highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreaks affecting three different states, according to an update today from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Details of the additional outbreaks come in the wake of another H5N1 event reported yesterday from Ogun state.
In today's report, officials said the virus was detected in backyard layers in Plateau state, on a farm housing 35-week-old layers in Kano state, in backyard birds in Bauchi state, and in a cluster of 9 outbreaks at other layer farms in Kano state. The locations are all in the north central part of Nigeria.
From a total of 40,235 susceptible birds at the 12 locations, the virus killed 1,236, and the remaining birds were destroyed to curb the spread of the virus.
The H5N1 virus turned up in Nigerian poultry in early January, the first reported in the country since July 2008.
Feb 19 OIE report