Emergence and Persistent Circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A(H5N8) in Kosovo, May 2021–May 2022

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202308.1579.v1
• Publication Date: 2023-08-23T00:31:31Z
• Authors: Armend Cana; Bianca Zecchin; Xhavit Merovci; Alice Fusaro; Edoardo Giussani; Sadik Heta; Kiril Krstevski; Dafina Mehmetukaj; Izedin Goga; Beqë Hulaj; Bafti Murati; Calogero Terregino; Aleksandar Dodovski
• Keywords: Highly pathogenic; Biosecurity

In this study, we report the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A H5N8, clade 2.3.4.4b in Kosovo on May 19, 2021. The consisted three temporal phases: May–June 2021, September–November and January–May 2022. total, 32 backyard 10 commercial holdings tested positive for virus, affecting 179,198 poultry. Interestingly, third last phase coincided with massive H5N1 epidemic Europe. Phylogenetic analyses 28 viral strains from revealed that they were closely related to H5N8 2.3.4.4.b viruses have been circulating Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Russia early Whole genome sequencing 25 partial 3 showed high nucleotide identity, forming a distinctive cluster suggesting single introduction. results network analysis accordance waves suggested diffusion could caused by secondary spreads among farms and/or different introductions same virus wild birds. persistent circulation over one-year period highlights potential risk becoming endemic, especially settings non-adequate biosecurity.