Comparison of 2016–17 and Previous Epizootics of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 Guangdong Lineage in Europe

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2412.171860
• Publication Date: 2018-10-31T16:19:27Z
• Authors: Pablo Alarcon; Adam Brouwer; Divya Venkatesh; Daisy Duncan; Chrysostomos I. D...; George Georgiades; Isabella Monne; Alice Fusaro; Adam Dan; Krzysztof Śmietanka; Vassilios Ragias; Andrew C. Breed; Taxiarchis Chassa...; Gabriela Goujgoulova; Charlotte Kristia...; Eoin Ryan; Azucena Sánchez; Eric Niqueux; Niina Tammiranta; Siamak Zohari; David A. Stroud; Vladimir Savić; Nicola S. Lewis; Ian H. Brown
• Keywords: Highly pathogenic; Lineage (genetic); Pandemic

We analyzed the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 epizootic of 2016-17 in Europe by epidemiologic and genetic characteristics compared it with 2 previous epizootics caused same Guangdong lineage. The was largest number countries farms affected greatest diversity wild birds infected. observed significant differences among 3 regarding region affected, epidemic curve, seasonality, outbreak duration, making difficult to predict future HPAI epizootics. However, we know that 2005-06 initial peak bird detections preceded poultry outbreaks within Europe. Phylogenetic analysis viruses indicates main pathways into Our findings highlight need for global surveillance viral changes inform disease preparedness, detection, control.